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r-AMiLY RIXORDS 



of rhe 



Descendants of Thomas Wait 



of 



Portsmouth, Phocic islaucJ. 



*' Once ill tlie /light of ages past. 

There lived a man : — afid ivho was he ? 
Unkno'wn the ret^ions of his birth, 
The land in which he died ttnknozvu : 
His name has perished from the earth.'''' 



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Collected, Compilecl aiul PubJblvxi hv.-. .«. '. • .< 

• • :* • • • •:• 

JOHN CA55AN! WArr* * 

Attorney and Counsellor at Law ; Civil Engineer ; 

Author; Sometime Assistant Professor of Engineering, Harvard University; 

Sometime Assistant Corporation Counsel, The City of New York, etc. 



> J - > ■ ■ > 



PRICE, $1.00 



1904 



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II 







LIBRARY of CONGRESS 






Twe Copies Raceived 






FEB II 1904 






n Copyright Entry 
pLASS <^- XXc, !Mo. 
COPY 3 




Copyrighied 190^ 




by 




John Cassan Wait. 


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JOHN CASSON WAIT, 

THE AUTHOR. 
1903. 



PREFACE. 



This fragment of the general history of the Wait family 
is published by the author as his contribution to what he 
hopes may some day become a complete genealogy of the 
Wait family. It is the best arrangement that the author 
can make from the records at hand, which have been col- 
lected at the expense of considerable time, search and cor- 
respondence, and is a brief statement of what is known of 
the Rhode Island branch of the Wait family. It has been 
compiled from a mass of correspondence collected by the 
author and by Henry E. Waite, West Newton, Mass., and 
from a little book by D. Byron Wait, now out of print. The 
author also acknowledges himself indebted to John W. Wait, 
of Sandy Hill, N. Y. In 1875-78 Henry E. Waite received 
many letters about the Rhode Island family, which he pru- 
dently preserved, and this booklet contains the substance of 
those records, which could not at this day be reproduced. 
It is believed that with the records herein preserved, as a 
guide, members of the Rhode Island family will, by a 
study of the deeds and wills in the probate and town clerks' 
offices of southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, be ena- 
bled to trace their respective genealogies with little trouble. 

In anticipation of the reprinting of this booklet and the 
ultimate incorporation of it in a general history of the 
family, the reader is earnestly requested to supply omissions 
and to communicate any correction or additions that he may 
be able to contribute, in order to make the record complete. 
An unimportant fact may in some cases prove of great value. 

Members of the Wait family are particularly requested to 
give such facts as are within their knowledge. 

John Cassan Wait, 
Attorney and Counsellor-at-Law, 
No. 220 Broadway, 
• The City of New York. 




iN the early ages of the world, the 
shepherds, while teiidiug their 
>i/7- flocks, amused themselves with 
rustic songs, accompanied by rude instruments ; in process of time, 
when the human mind became more enlarged and cultivated, and 
music extended its influence from the field to the city, minstrels were 
employed to slug the mysteries of religion or the valiant deeds per- 
formed by heroes in defense of their country. In Egypt the inhabit- 
ants were divided into castes or tribes, confining each profession to 
one familj', and as music was for many ages confined by them to the 
priesthood and to religious purposes, the Hebrews, who adopted 
many of their religious rites, made both priests and minstrels heredit- 
ary in the tribe ot^ Levi. Elisha called for a minstrel to tranquillize 
hismind and awaken inspiration previous to his prophesying. I)avid, 
with his harp, was called to charm away the evil spirit from Saul ; 
and afterwards, during his reign as King of Israel, minstrels were 
held in the highest estimation. 

•' The harp the monarch minstrel swept, 
The king of men, the loved of heaven. 

* ^ ^ 

It softened men of ii'on mould. 

It gave them virtues not their own ; 

No ear so dull, no soul so cold. 

That felt not, tired not to the tone, 

'Till David's lyre grew mightier than his throne ! "— Btron. 

From Homer we learn that minstrels were esteemed and caressed 
by kings, princes and heroes of Greece. The philosopher, Pytha- 
goras, introduced the art from Egypt into Italy, and the minstrel pomp 
of the Hebrew and Pagan worship was adopted in the Roman empire 
during the reign of Constantine. The ancient minstrels, under the 
name of bards and scalds, were admired and revered, from the earliest 
ages, by the people of Gaul, Britain, Ireland and the North. The 
Celtic Bard was a priest of the Sun, one of the three sacred orders of 
Druids, and the philosopher, historian, prophet, and poet of his age ; 
but the Romans ruined their rank and power, and the majority of 
them were subsequently attached to the court of some prince or 
chieftain, accompanying their patron to the field of battle to behold 
his exploits ; and in time of peace they sang his praises, dilating upon 
his noble descent, his wealth and warlike deeds. The Teutonic 
nations were remarkable for their love of music ; the German tribes, 



2 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

in their primeval forests, attributed the origin of the art to Odin or 
Woden, the father of their gods ; the sicill of their scalds was con- 
sidered as something divine, and their persons were deemed sacred ; 
their attendance was solicited by kings, and they were everywhere 
loaded with honors and rewards. In short they were held in that rude 
admiration whicli is ever shown by an ignorant people to such as 
excel them in intellectual accomplishments. Herald Harfager, the 
Scandinavian King, had at his court four principal scalds, who were 
his counsellors, and to whom he assigned the highest seats at his table. 
These minstrels also accompanied ilie armies in war, and were with 
the king in battle, that they might witness his prowess and describe it 
more fully in their songs, — 

" O, great was Denmarli's land iu time of old ! 
Wide to the Soutli her brancli of glory spread : 
Fierce to the Ijattle ruslied her heroes bold. 
Eager to join the revels of the dead : 

The Bard was there with spirit-stirring breath, 

His bold lieart quiverinj; as he swept the wire. 
And poured his notes amidst the ensanguined heath, 

While panting thousands kindled at his lyre : 

And when the memorable diiy was past, 

And Thor triumphant on his people smiled, 
The actions died not with the das tliey graced ; 

The Bard embalmed them in his descant wild. 

And their hymned names through ages uneilaced, 

The weary hours of future Danes beguiled ; 
When even their sv,owy liones had mouldered long. 

On the high column lived the im})erishable song. 

And the impetuous harp resounded high. 

With feats of hardimeut done far and wide. 
While the bard soothed with festive minstrelsy, 

The chiefs reposing after battle-tide."— Oehlenschlagee. 

In England the early Saxons were jiassionately fond of music. The 
most famous monarchs and the most eminent saints gloried in their 
skill as harpers ; Alfred the Great assumed the privileged character 
of a minstrel to explore the Danish camp. 

To the troubadours or minstrels of South France we are indebted 
for the most noted romances of the middle ages. The}^ were the 
delight of the brave and the favorites of the fair, because they cele- 
brated the achievements of the one and the beauties of the other. The 
character of knight and troubadour were frequently united in the 
same person, and that their exertions were rewarded with something 
more substantial than empty praises, may be gathered from the 
historical fact, that " when Charlemagne had brought all countries 
under his dominion, he made over and divided the whole of Provence 
among tlie luxurious minstrels." 

The Norman minstrels, descendants of the Scandinavian Scalds 
and the Troubadours of South France, were very sviperior in birth, - 
wealth and education to their Anglo Saxon brethren. The profession 
was aspired to by the most gallant soliliers, and followed particularly 
by the younger sons and brothers of great houses. The courts of 
princes swarmed with minstrels ; the earls also and great barons, who, 
in their castles, emulated the pomp and state of royalty, had their 
minstrels, who formed part of their household establishment and 
travelled with them ; they were permitted to enter the rich monasteries 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 3 

and the mansions of the nobility without the least ceremony ; here at 
the feasts which succeeded the chase or the tournament, the minstrels 
would display their skill, and receive the honors and recompense to 
which their exertions were deemed entitled. Sometimes they were 
rewarded by presents of coursers and their trappings ; sometimes by 
rich clothing and money ; as they were heralds of men's reputations, 
all, of any rank, were fjlad to secure l>y fair words and liberal gifts, a 
place of "note in tho.^e rolls of fame', which it was the business of 
minstrels to emblazon. The Normans carried their songs with them 
into England, and in the army of William the Conqueror, was the 
celebrated minstrel, Taillefer, who was a wari'ior as well as a musician. 
He was present at the battle of Hastings, and appeared at the head of 
the Conqueror's army, where he commanded the onset, and died light- 
ing valiantly, and singing the old songs of France. 

" Taillefer, who sang full well, I wot. 
Mounted on st^ed that was swift of foot. 
Went forth oefore the armed train. 
Singing of Roland and Cliarlemagne, 
Of Oliver and the brave vassals 
Who died at the pass of Roncesvals." 

-Le Brut W Angleterre, by liof/erf Wucc. 

The minstrel was a regular and stated officer in the court of the 
Anglo-Saxon Kings. Domesday book, A. D. 1086, records the bounty 
of William, the Couquerer to Berdic, his minstrel, who was granted 
lands in Gloucestershire. In the reign of Henry I., A. D. 1102, 
Roger, or Raherus. the king's minstrel founded the priory and hos- 
pital of St. Bartholomew in London, and became the first prior. 
Matilda, queen of Henry 1., expended all her revenues and oppressed 
her tenants to pay her minstrels. Under the romantic king, Richard 
I., or Coeur de Leon, the great hero of chivalry, and also the distin- 
guished patron of poets and minstrels, being himself of their number, 
the minstrel profession seemed to have acquired additional splendor. 
The important service which he received from one of his own min- 
strels in rescuing him from captivity, is a matter of history. The 
impoverishment of the nobles by the expenses of the Crusades, and 
r)ther warlike enterprises, and by their extravagance and love of dis- 
play, together with the increased power of the burghers, which com- 
pelled them to adopt a more retired mode of life, all tending to greatly 
dimini.sh the number of minstrels and other retainers at their courts. 
On the part of the minstrels, exclusive ]irivileges and long continuance 
of public favor inflated their pride and made them insolent, and the 
large gratuities collected by them, induced many idle and dissipated 
persons to assume the character of minstrels to the disgrace of the pro- 
fession. These evils became at last so notorious that King Edward 
II., in 1315, suppressed their performances by a public edict, except 
in only the kirjg's minstrels and those in the retinues of the nobility ; 
notwithstanding which an incident is recorded by Stow, in the ensuing 
year, which shows that minstrels still retained the liberty of entering 
at will into the royal presence, and had something peculiarly splendid 
in their dress. Under Queen Elizabeth the minstrels lost the pro- 
tection of the opulent, and their credit sunk so low in public estima- 
tion, that they were included in the Statutes against vagrants and 
beggars ; the only vestige of them now remaining is to be found in 
the blind fiddlers and ballad singers wandering about the country. 



4 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

The word " Wait," anciently spelled Wayghte or Wayte, 
is derived from the old high German wahten (to keep 
watch) ; it is common in the sense of gnard or watchman to 
all the Teutonic languages, the German zvacht, Dutch vaght, 
Swedish wakt and English zi'atch. When used as a verb, its 
meaning is "to stay in expectation of"; as a noun, it de- 
notes a minstrel watchman. 

The original Waytes were found in England immediately 
after the Norman conquest, only among the retainers of 
the King, Princes and great Barons; but their rank gradu- 
ally degenerated with that of the other orders of minstrels, 
until now the name is applied only to those itinerant musi- 
cians who, in most of the large towns in England, go round 
the principal streets at night, for some time before Christ- 
mas, play two or three tunes, call the hour, then remove to 
a suitable distance, where they go through the same cere- 
mony, and so on until four or five o'clock in the morning. 
This custom seems to have been profitable, for the records 
of the Police Court of London show that a leader of the 
Waits applied to it to protect him from the infringement of 
his privileges. The post seems to have been no sinecure; it 
was productive and profitable — so much so that it could be 
purchased. It was under the control of the high constable 
and the court of burgesses. It being discovered that other 
Waits were going about the town and usurping the privilege 
in the most fashionable quarters, the matter became serious. 
The leader of the Waits, having paid for his rights, asked 
that they should be protected, and by the decision of the 
magistrates his right was recognized and he was promised 
support. It is very common at Christmas time for wander- 
ing musicians to make their rounds during the night and 
discourse popular airs calculated to inspire the inhabitant? 
to charitable thoughts (?) for which they expect a gratuity 
on " boxing day." The following is a verbatim of a printed 
bill left by a party of these wandering minstrels: 

" To the ladies and gentlemen residing in Brunswick, 
Tavistock and Euston-squares, Burton-crescent and neigh- 
bourhood. Ladies and Gentlemen — With sensible recollec- 
tions of by-gone patronage, your Wandering Melodists, The 
Christmas Waits, beg to offer their best compliments on 
the approaching festival. The band on this occasion, as 
heretofore, has been numerous and select, and trust to merit 
that liberal diffusion of favors which has enlivened our 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 5 

homes and cheered our hearts for a series of years. We 
I rust our sprightly notes of melody, awaking sweet Echo on 
the dull ear of Night, has stole on your slumbers and again 
lulled vou to repose with the soothing candenza of the lul- 
laby." ■ 

" Mr. Putnam and J. Lawless, violins, 6 Swinton Place, 
Bagnigge Wells Eoad and 33 Middlesex Street, Somers 
down; J. Sawyer, Clarionet, 25 Hertford Street, Somer 
Town; E. Smith. Double Bass, 16 Little Coram Street; J. 
Smith, violoncello; T. Shambler, flute, 7 Swinton Place, 
Bagnigge Wells Eoad." 

" Having redeemed our pledge, we shall have the honour 
of paying our personal respects in the holyday week. In 
respectfully taking our leave, we beg to remind you, that 
as some who are pretenders to the Magic Wand of Apollo, 
it may be necessary to say that we will produce a book 
with a printed label, containing our names, instruments and 
addresses as above." 

When surnames were generally introduced into England 
in the eleventh century, those who held an office in mo.^t 
cases added its designation to their Christian names, thus: 
Eichard, the minstral-watchman, who was known as Eichard 
le (the) Wayte, afterward contracted to Eichard Wayte. 
The name has since been spelled Wayte, Wayt, Wayght, 
Waight, Wait, Waitt, Wate. Weight. Waiet, etc. 

In A. D. 1075, William the Conqueror gave the Earldom, 
City and Castle of Norwich, in England, to " Ealf de Waiet " 
(son of " Ealf," an Englishman, by a Welsh woman), who 
married Emma, sister to Eoger, Earl of Hereford, cousin of 
the Conqueror, etc. 

The earliest record found and the source from whence all 
by the name seem to trace their origin, was Ealf de Waiet. 
There is no question among genealogical gleaners but that 
Eicardus Le Wayte, of the county Warwick, who was in 
1315 Eseheator of counties Berkshire, Wilts, Oxford, Bed- 
ford and Bucks, was a direct lineal descendant of Ealf. 
Thereafter the name was written Wayte almost exclusively, 
until the different ones of the name came to New England, 
when that was discarded and Wait or Waite used instead, 
the latter form arising from a custom to add e to words as in 
thinke, iinde, pufte, boate, etc. 

Our kindred, though distant, are pretty freely distributed 
over the central portion of Southern England, extending 



6 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

tlieiK-e to Northern Wales, the land from which our progeni- 
tors came to the New World, and very often in the re- 
sponses to onr inquiries of those of the same name have we 
received the same reply, showing: that tradition, which in- 
vestigation proves to be a fact, has handed down well that 
portion of our own history. " We descended from three 
brothers who came jfrom Wales." Eichard, the eldest of 
those brothers, was born in 1596, Gamaliel in 1598, and 
Thomas in 1601, and they came to Boston in 1634, the same 
year the ballot box was first used in the colony, and Eichard 
was at one time marshal there. 

The different branches of the Wait family contribute ap- 
proximately the same traditions of the early life of their 
ancestors. In each there are some essential and prominent 
features, from which it may be deduced, and with reasonable 
certainty, that our ancestor, Thomas Wait, of Ehode 
Island, came originally from Wales and that there were 
three brothers, who were farmers and herdsmen by occupa- 
tion. That on one particular occasion they were driving a 
herd of cattle to some market place in Wales and were 
beset by a so-called press-gang. By their daring and skill 
they managed to get away, sold their cattle and immediately 
went on board a vessel bound to Plymouth, N. E., America, 
at which port they safely arrived. Two settled in Pl3'mouth 
colony and the third settled in Ehode Island. The above 
is doubtless true in most particulars. It was Thomas who 
went to Portsmouth, E. I., probably in 1638. 

They were cousins to Thomas Wayte, who was a member 
of Parliament, and one of the judges who signed the war- 
rant in 1649 for the execution of Charles the First. The 
late Morrison Eemick Waite, Chief Justice of the United 
States, traced his lineage through Henry Matson Wait, 
Eemick Wait and three Thomas Waits to Thomas Wayte, 
the Eegicide. 

Like very many of the ancient families of Britain, ours 
had its " coat of arms " down to the middle of the seven- 
teenth century. When Charles II. ascended the throne in 
1660, those who were instrumental in putting his father to 
death were brought to the scaffold (except John Dixwell, 
William Goffe and Edward Whalley, who fled to America), 
and Thomas Wayte, being one of that number, either by 
act of Parliament or edict from the throne, tradition says. 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 7 

the family was deprived of that insignia. Prom the de- 
scriptions handed down several coats of arms have been 
engraved which give the essential elements of the original. 








CREST. 



AKMy. 



AR.MS. 



ARMS. 



The Crest is described as " a bngle horn, stringed, sable, 
garnished," and the Arms as "Argent, chevron gules be- 
tween three bngle-horns, stringed, sable, borne by the name 
Wayte. The mottoe of the Wait family is " Pro aris et 
facts," meaning " For our homes and altars." 

The bugle portrays the musical element of the family and 
tends to support its traditions that the original Waytes 
were musician attendants to the King and his Knights. 





-, WAYTE, 



-, WAYTE, 



Of England, nth Century. Of New England, ntli'Centiir!/. 

The earliest settlers of New England, of the name, were: 
Hichard, born 1596, of Boston, 1634, Marshal of the colony; 



8 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

Gamaliel, his brother, born 1598, of Boston; Thomas, born 
1601, of Portsmouth, E. I., 1639; Eichard, born 1608, of 
Watertown, Mass., 1637; John, born 1618, of Maiden, Mass., 
1644; Thomas, of Ipswich, Mass., 1658; Alexander, of Bos- 
ton, 1637; George, of Providence, R. I., 1646; John, of 
Windsor, Conn., 1649; Benjamin, of Hatfield, 1663. 

On Feb. 5,1631, the ship " Lyon," with twenty passengers 
and a large cargo of provisions, came to anchor in Nantucket 
Roads. On tJie 8th she reached Boston, and tlie 9th, which 
had been set apart as a day of fasting and prayer for the 
little colony sorely stricken by famine, was made a day of 
thanksgiving and praise for its sudden deliverance. Among 
those who on that day first united their prayers with the 
prayers of the elder colonists was the young colonist, Roger 
Williams. 

Little is known of the earlv liistorv of Roger Williams, 
except that he was born in Wales about 1606; attracted early 
in life the attention of Sir Edward Coke^^ bv his skill in 
taking down in shorthand sermons and speeches in the Star 
Chamber. He was sent by the great lawyer to Sutton Hos- 
pital, now known as the Charter House, and went thence in 
the regular time to Oxford, took orders in the Church of 
England, and finally embraced the doctrine of the Puritans. 
Besides T^atin and Greek, which formed the principal ob- 
jects of a university course, he acquired a competent knowl- 
edge of Hebrew and several modern languages, for the study 
of which he seemed to have had a peculiar faculty. His 
industry and attainments soon won him a high place in the 
esteem of his religious brethren, and although described by 
one who knew him as " passionate and precipitate," he 
gained and preserved the respect of some of the most emi- 
nent among his theological opponents. When this " godly 
and jealous young minister " landed in Boston he found the 
territory which had long been known as Massachusetts in the 
possession of two distinct colonies — the colony of Plymouth, 
founded in 1620, by the followers of John Robinson, of 
Leyden, and known as the colony of Separatists, men who 
had separated from the Church of England, but were willing 
to grant to others the same freedom of opinion which they 
claimed for themselves, and the colony of Massachusetts 
Bay, founded ten years later by a band of intelligent Puri- 
tans, many of them men of position and fortune, who, 
alarmed by the variety of new opinions and doctrines which 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 9 

seemed to menace a total subversion of what they regarded 
a religion, had resolved to establish a new dwelling place in 
a new world, with the Old and New Testaments for statute 
books and constitution. It was to this iron-bound colony 
that Koger Williams brought his restless, vigorous and fear- 
less spirit. 

In 1635 Eoger Williams was sentenced to banishment, but 
through the efforts of his friends the sentence was not car- 
ried out. In the following winter Williams fled into exile 
and was warmly received by Massasoit and Canonicus, 
chiefs of Indian tribes, the former of whom gave him a 
tract of land on the Seekonk river. The Governor of 
Plymouth having claimed jurisdiction over that part of the 
Seekonk, Williams and five friends in the summer of 1636 
went down the river and up the Providence river and began 
a settlement which they named Providence. 

The freedom of conscience enjoyed at Providence drew 
many people thither from Boston and other towns in Mas- 
sachusetts. Williams reserved no political power to him- 
self, but seemed to be actuated solely by the desire to make 
happy all those around him. He was strenuous in asserting 
his own views, but he and his associates resolutely refrained 
from interfering with the rights of others. 

Ann Hutchinson was another strong character that had 
come to Xew England. She was of a high and subtle 
spirit and taught that salvation was the fruit of grace, not 
of works. It is easy to conceive how such a doctrine might 
be perverted by logical interpretation and religious standing 
made independent of moral character. She was a woman 
deeply imbued with the/ controversial temper of her age. 

In the autumn of 1837, under the leadership of William 
Coddington, John Clarke, Ann Hutchinson and fifteen 
others, left Boston with the intention of settling on Dela- 
ware Bay. They called on Eoger Williams during the jour- 
ney and were treated with such winning hospitality that they 
accepted his invitation to settle in the land of the Narragan- 
setts, from whose chief, Miantouomah, they purchased the 
island of Aquidneck (Peaceable Island), now Ehode Island, 
and in March, 1638, they laid the foundation of a new 
town, Pocasset, the Indian name for that locality, near north 
end of the island; the name "Portsmouth" was given to 
the settlement at a meeting Jan. 5 or 15, 1639. 



10 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

William Coddington, who had been a crown magistrate 
at Salem, was chosen Governor of the Rhode Island colony. 
Thus, two flourishing settlements were planted, each having 
its own government. Absolute liberty of conscience pre- 
vailed, and the persecuted flocked thither from the other 
colonies. These people were so-called non-conformists and 
were Quakers, and they formed a plantation which, witli 
Providence and Newport, obtained from England in Mar., 
1644, a charter under the title of " The Incorporation of 
Providence Plantations in the Narragansett Bay in New 
England." Coddington and his party drew up and signed 
the following compact: '* We, whose names are under- 
wTitten, do swear solemnly, in the presence of Jehovah^ to 
incorporate ourselves into a body politic, and as He shall 
help us, will submit our persons, lives and estates, unto our 
Lord Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Hosts 
and to His holy Word of Truth, to be guided and judged 
thereby," and Coddington was chosen chief ruler, with three 
assistants, which comprised the council, and the motto of 
their seal was "Amor Vincit Omnia." 

Another settlement at Newport was formed in the south- 
ern part of the island. Here breaking roads, clearing up 
woods, exterminating wolves and foxes, opening a trade in 
lumber, engaging boldly in building ships, and, above all, 
forming a free and simple government with careful regard 
to religion and education, they soon found themselves in 
advance of their elder sister, Providence. The next yeai-, 
in early May, 1638, another company went from Boston and 
joined them, and it is supposed that among that number 
was Thomas Wait, who was born in 1601, and who landed 
in America in 1634. 

I. Thomasi Wait (1601-1677), almost immediately after 
his arrival at Rhode Island, applied for a lot on which to 
build (the land being held in common), and at the first 
meeting of the Council thereafter the record of its proceed- 
ings reads: "July 1, 1639, Granted to Thomas^ V7ait a 
house lot next Mr. Wick's." Mar. 16, 1641, he was made a 
Freeman at Newport, R. I., a privilege then only granted 
to church members, and May 6, 1649, he was witness to the 
will of Anthony Paine; in 1655 he is again described as a 
Freeman; Apr. 30, 1661, he bought lands in Acushnet and 
Cohasset, Mass., and is described as a husbandman. Thomas^ 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 11 

Wait was also a Freeman at Boston, Oct. 8, 1640. He died 
in Portsmouth some time before Apr., 1677, intestate, and 
the Town Council divided his property among his children; 
SamueP, Joseph^, Jeremiah^, Thomas^, Mary2 and Eeu- 
ben^. His wife's name is not on record that we can find; 
she must have died previous to the division of his property. 

These are the only children mentioned in the division, 
but there is some evidence that Thomas^ had another son, 
Benjamin^, who is supposed to have been the third child of 
Thomas, and to have been born about 1644, and who is be- 
lieved to be the same Benjamin^ who was one of the peti- 
tioners of Hadley, Mass., Apr. 25, 1665; of Hatfield, Hamp- 
shire Co., Mass., 1668, and who was slain by Indians at 
Deerfield, Mass., 1704. These facts seem to be verified by 
Hampshire Co. deeds, at Springfield, Mass., Vol. C, pp. 72-3, 
whereby Thomas^ Wait, of Seacourt, E. I., and Benjamin^ 
Wait, of Hatfield, Mass., Feb. 3, 1700, bought property in 
Brookfield, Mass., of John Ayers, etc. Brookfield is about 
half way between Hatfield and Portsmouth, R. I., near 
Worcester, Mass. Seacourt, R. I., is not given on the mod- 
ern maps. In Vol. C, p. 439, a deed is recorded whereby 
John^, Jeremiah^ and Joseph^, sons of Benjamin, of Hat- 
field, Mass., and John Belding, Joseph Smith and Ebenezer 
Wells, who married daughters of Benjamin^, deceased, sold, 
May 24, 1717, the land in Brookfield, formerly the estate of 
John Ayers, deceased, and they warranted the same against 
Thomas Wait, our uncle, brother of the aforesaid Benjamin 
Wait, deceased. Henry E. Waite, who has made the records 
of the Wait family the subject of much study and investiga- 
tion, says: " There is no doubt in my mind about Benjamin 
being the son of the first Thomas Wait, of Rhode Island. 
He was in Hatfield in 1665. (Petition Mass. Archives, State 
House, Boston, pp. 106, 107.)" 

Thomas^ invariably wrote his name Wait, and his de- 
scendants also, with very few exceptions, down almost to 
the present, while his cousin, Richard, born in 1608, and 
who settled in Watertown, Mass., in 1637, wrote his name 
Waite, and also did all the descendants of Thomas, the 
regicide, who settled in Connecticut. The use of the letter 
c at the end of the words was very common at one time, after 
the early spelling of many words, as thinke, speakc, Unde, etc. 



12 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

I. Thomas 1 (1601-1677) had then six childreu. 

II. 1. Samuel^, (Thomas^) (1640-1C94), of Narragaiisett, 
1663 and 1671; Wicld'ord, 1668; Portsmouth, R. I., 1677 to 
1694. In 1668, Jnly 3, he and others of ISTarragansett de- 
sired to 1)6 under protection of Connecticut only; in 1668, 
May 4, he and others of Wickford petitioned the Connecti- 
cut authorities to reassume tlie protection of their settle- 
ment, or that they might look for government and protec- 
tion elsewhere; in 1671, May 20, he took oath of allegiance 
to Eliode Island; in 1673, May 6, he was a freeman; in 1677, 
Feb. 11, he was at Portsmouth, P. I. He and his wife Han- 
nah deeded to Thomas^ the house and all the land in Ports- 
mouth, given and appointed by will made by Town Council, 
being 30 acres, Avhich had been owned by the father of said 
SamueP and Thomas^; 1685, Feb. 2, he was a freeman and 
conveyed to Thomas; 1693, Mar. 30, he sold to William 
Burrington for £50 two pieces of land in Portsmouth, with 
houses, etc., one piece of land containing 16 acres, the other 
being two acres; in 1694, May 7, at Kings Town, he sold 
James Reynolds, Sr., 50 acres, in Kings Town, for £12. 

SamueP m. Hannah (^^Hiitman ?), of Kingston, R. I., and 
they had four children. 

i. Samuel% b. 1676, about, d. 1752, ra. Alice Wiglitman, 

Kingston, R. I. 
ii. John', b. Sept, 10, 1678, d. 

iii. Joseph', b. Mav 19, 1682, d. , m. Elizabeth, 

iv. Susanna\ b. Oct. 24, 1684, d. 1758, m. Moses Barber (?) 

Note.— A Susanna Wait m. Benjamin Perry and they had son Freeman Perry, m. 
Mercy Hazard, who had son Christopher R. Perry who m. Sarah Wallace Alexander, 
who "had a sou Oliver Haz:ird Perrv, Commodore U. 8. Navy, b. S. Kingston, R. I., 
Aug. 23, 178.5, d. Port Spain, W. I., Aug. 33, 1819. 

III. 2. Josephs (Thomas^), d. Aug. 25, 1665, of Kings- 
ton, R. I. In 16()5, Sept. 16, administration was granted his 
widow, Sarah. The Town Council determined that as she 
was Avith child, if it was a son and lived to 21 years, he 
should have £40, and if a daughter, same sum at marriage, 
and if it do not live, said sum to go to the widow. The 
inventory amounted to £89, 15s. lOd., and consisted of 
pewter, wearing apparel, spinning wheel, working tools. 2 
guns, pair of bandoliers, 2 cows, 2 yearlings, calf, 7 swine, 
4 shoats, 6 pigs, lambs, 10 lbs. butter, cow in hands of 
Samuel, etc. It is assumed that William^, of Rochester, 
was his son, and was born Inic in tlie vear 1665. 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 13 

i. William", b. 1665, m. Elizabeth , Rochester, 

Mass., and had five children. 

(a) Elizabe)h^ b. Feby. 4, 1696. 

(b) Ruth\ b. .Sept. 39, 1699. 

(c) William*, b July 39, 1701. 

(d) SamueP, b. Apr. 15, 1704. 

(e) AbigaH, b. Sept. 36, 1707, and m. Joseph Tripp, Jany. 

3, 1737. 

Note —A William Wait in. Sarah, dan. of Enas Kin^sley, at Northampton, 
.Mass., and they had children John. b. Ausj., 1389 ; wife Sar ih d. Jan. -^3, 1391, and 
William m. Ann, dau. of John Webb, Jr., and they had children Joseph, b. about 
1693. d. young ; Ann, b. Jan. 6, lt)95 ; Mary, b. Feb. 17, 1698 ; Jonathan, b. Mar. 18, 
1703; Thankful, b. Jan. 27, 1706; Samuel, b. Jan. 19, 1707; Jeremiah, b. Dec. 13, 
1709; Experience, b. Mar. 31, 17'5; Noah, b. Feb. 20, irii. William d. 1732 his 
wife Ann d. Oct. 7, 1748. This William Wait may have been a lost son of Thomas of 
Portsmouth, though nothing has been found to prove it. 

Note.— A William Wait m. Elizabeth Stebbins Dec. 16 1703, and had children 
Sarah, b. June, 170o ; Hannah, b. Jan. 20, 1716 ; Eunice, b. May 31, 17^2 ; Josiah, b . 
Mar. 25, 1725, and Josiah, b. June 22. 1731. 

Note.— A John Wait m. Nov. 27, 1716, Esther Edwards, and had child Esther, b. 
Oct. 28, 1717. 

Note.— A Richard Wait m. 16?8 Sirah (b. 1649), dan. of John Clarke of Spring- 
field, Mass. He was keeper of the prison at Sprin<];field, 1691-92 ; of Danbury, Conn., 
1706; and of Springfield again in 1710. 

Note.— .A. Daniel Wait served in the Continental Army June 7 — Aug. 5, 1778, resi- 
dence Brookfleld, Worcester Co. , Mass., in Col. Marshall's 10th Massachusetts Line 
Regiment. 

3. Benjamin^ {Thomas^) (1644-1704). He was a peti- 
tioner of Hadley, Mass., x4.pr. 25, 1665, lived at Hatfield, 
1668, and was slain by Indians at Deerfield, Mass., 1704. 
Bonght lands at Brookfleld, Mass., with Thomas, of Ehode 
Island, Feb. 3, 1700, which were conveyed by his children 
May 24, 1717, who waiTanted the same against their uncle 
Thomas, Benjamin's brother. Benjamin was a soldier and 
Indian scout — a brave and hardv man. For an interesting 
story of the capture of his wife and children by the Indians, 
who took them to Canada; his long and determined pursuit 
and final recovery of them; the mother giving birth to a 
dau. while in captivity, who was named " Canada," and one 
of whose descendants founded Smith's College at ISTorthamp- 
ton, see Craft's History of Whateley, Mass., pp. 31, 32, 33 
and 34. Benjamin m. June 8, 1670, Martha Leonard, 
b. May 15, 1649, dau. of John Leonard, of Springfield, 
Mass., (see Craft's History of Wliateley, Mass., p. 593), and 
they had eight children: 

i. M.uiY\ b. Feb. 25. 1672, m. Dec. 4, 1690, Ebenezer Wells, 
ii. Martha', b. Jan. 23, 1673. 
iii. Sarah^ b. 1675, m. John Belden of Hatfield, 
iv. CANAD.\^ b. (in Canada) Jan. 22, 1678, m. Joseph Smith /^' 

of Hatfield. 
V. JoHN^ b. Jan. 17, 1680, at Hatfield, Mass., d. 1744. He, 
like his father, was much in service, was a sergeant 
and commander in many excursions ; was in the fight 



U WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

witli tlie French and Indians at Deerfield when his 
father was slain. He m. Mary, dau. of Stephen and 
Mary (Wells) Belden, b. May 20, 1685. They had ten 
children. 

(a) John*, b. at Whately, Mass., Dec. 3, 1703; d. at 
Whateley, Mass., Mar. 4, 1776, m. (1) Sept. 19, 
1723, Submit, dau. of Beujumiu and Elizabeth 
(Graves) Hastings of Hatfield, b. July IG, 1707. 
M. (2) Mary. dau. of Eleazor aud Deborah (Chapiu) 
Frary of Hatfield, d. at Whately Dec. 23, 1807, 
aged 96 years, removed early to what is now 
Whately. He was prominent in town and churcli 
affairs. 
They had eleven cliildreu : 

(1) Joels, I). Mar. 13, 1726, d. young. 

(2) Jeruslia*, b. Jan. 24, 1728, ra. John Billings, removed to 

Amherst, Mass. 
(8) Eleanor^, b. Apr. 4, 1730. 

(4) Seths, b. Aug. 12, 1732. 

(5) Lydia'', b. Sept. 2ti, 1734, ni. (1) a Mr. Colfiuau of South Had- 

ley, and (2) Orange Worner of Hadley, Mass. 

6) Katherine^, b. Dec. 2.5, 173G. 

7) Chloe^ b. Feb. 23, 173S. 

(8) MaryS, b. Apr. 18, 1741, m. William Brown, Jr., of Whately, 
Mass. 
IV._(8) John6, b. Nov. 25, 1743, d. Sept. 28, 1801, m. Mary, dau. of 
Eleazar Frary, b. 1748, d. June 18, 1842, of Hatfield, Mass. 
They had deven. children : Selah«, Edward'^, Solomon'^, b. 
1768, d. Sejtt. 2,5, 184(), m. Lucy Wells, dau. Benjamin Wells 
of Hatfield. Mass., b. July 20, 1769, d. Mar. 9, 18.34; John", 
b. 1777, William*, Chester^, Betsey', Submif% Electa*, 
Judith* and Mary", all of whom emigrated to Norwich, 
('henango Co., N. Y., about the year 1790. Solomon" and 
Lucy had children : Sophia', Selah^, Wells', Delancy', 
Solomon', John', Martha', Chester' and Eliza'. 

According to Craft's History of Whately, Mass., John*, 
b. Nov. 25, 1743, m. June 14, 1770, Mary, dau. of Elisha and 
Sarah (Smith), Smitli, of Whately, Mass., b. July 14, 1740. 
This ni. is believed to be an error. Wells Wait, his grand- 
son (b. at Norwich, N. Y.), has a record which says John^ 
m. Mary, dau. of Eleazar Frary. Wells Wait was the 
eon of Solomon, son of John^, "and he must have known 
who was his grandmother. It is assumed, therefore, that 
Craft's is in error, and that Wells Wait and Mrs. Martha 
Throop Vaughan of Chicago, 111., and the other records are 
correct. Possibly John^ was m. twice, but both records 
agree as to dates of John's^* birth, names of children and 
dates of their birth, etc. The discrepancy is as to maiden 
name of his wife. Both say it was " Mary.'' 

(10) Suhmit, b, 174t), m. Waite Broughton, Nov. 1, 1771. 

(11) Joel,b. Sept. 9, 1754. 

b) Martha^ b. Feb. 20, 1706, m. Aug. 10, 1738, Nathaniel 

Hawkes. 

c) Mary^ b. June 23, 1708, m. Benjamin Munn of Deer- 

field, Mass. 

d) Lvdia*. b. Oct. 7, 1710. d. soon. 

(e) Lydia* (2d), b. July 4, 1712, m. Noah Coleman of What- 
ely, Mass. 
(f) Eunice*, b. 1720, m. Israel Graves of Whately, Mass. 
g) Benjamin*, b. Jan. 4, 1718. 
h) Eleanor*, b. Dec. 10, 1722. 
i) Elisha*, b. Oct. 10, 1725. 
(j) Sarah*, no date. 



WAIT FAMILY OF KHODE ISLAND. 15 

vi. Joseph^, b. July, 1G82, d. soon after. 
vii. Jeremiah', b. Sept. 24, 1684. 
viii. Joseph^ b. Nov. 11, 1688. 

4. Jeremiah^ (Thomas'^), b. d. 1677. He married 

Martha Brownell, b. May, 1643, d. Feb. 15, 1744. She was 
born of Thomas and Ann Brownell, Portsmonth, E. I. She 
married a second time Charles Dyer. In 1673, May 6, he 
was a freeman; in 1677, May 10, his widow, Martha, bought 
for £16, of Daniel Wilcox and wife, Elizabeth, of Dart- 
mouth, an eighth of a share there; in 1690, Mar. 8, Martha 
AVait, widow of Jeremiah^, bought for £20, of Eobert and 
l\Iary Brownell, 30 acres in Little Compton, they calling 
her "sister"; in 1734, Jan. 29, a will was proven, and in 
1744, Mar. 12, she was widow, Martha Dyer. Her executors 
were cousins (or nephews), Joseph and Stephen Brownell. 
She gave legacies to various nephews and nieces and to her 
three sisters, Mary Hazard, Anne Wilbur and Susanna 
Brownell. 

There were no children of Jeremiah. 

^ V. 5. Thomas^ (Thomas^), d. 1733. He was a tailor; 
in 1673, May 6, he was a freeman; in 1673, Mar. 25, 
he and seven others bought Pocasset lands for £1,000, of 
Gov. Josiah Winslow, etc. There were 30 shares, he having 
one. lu 1680, Aug. 28, he and his wife Sarah sold Thomas 
AVard of Newport, for £12 10s. land in Dartmouth; in 1681, 
Jan. 14, Thomas^, Providence Plantation, in America Tay- 
lor, conveyed to Joseph Anthony of Portsmouth, E.I., " the 
one full fourth part of a whole share of thirtieth part of that 
tract of land at Pocasset and places adjacent bounded as 
followeth, viz.: Northward and right northward by the 
freeman's lots, near the Fall Eiver, and westward by the 
Boror Sound that runneth between the said land and Eoad 
Island, southward partly by a line that is gott at a great 
Eorb on which is a Cedar iDush marked near the way that 
leadeth to Pnabatogt, eastward to a Pong at Dartmouth 
Town Bounds and eastward to Saponset Creeks Mouth, 
and partly by Dartmouth bounds, and northward again to 
the woods to Middleborrow Town bounds and Quitt-Quigot 
Pond, always excepting out of this Bargain and Sale Sapon- 
set Neck of Land and the meadows belonging to Punkabogt 
Proprietors and the land formerly granted by the Court of 
Plymouth to Capt. Eichard Morris, and so much of said 



le. WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

tract as sliall be allotted and appointed for the use of the 
Ministry, all of which said tract of land I, the said Thomas 
Wait, with some others, solely purchased of some gentle- 
men, agents of the colony of Plymouth, as may appear by 
one deed of foefnient, bearing date Mar. 5, 1679; in ]()84. 
Feb. 9, he and his wife Sarah sold Abraham Anthony, 2? 
acres, garden, buildings, etc., for £159; in 1.678, Aug. 18, 
Little Compton, he petitioned for 300 acres at Pocasset, 
" liaving made improvements there, and was one of the 
purchasers." In 1691, Jan. 7, Thomas sold John Wood- 
man, cordwainer, and John Irish, house carpenter, salt 
marsh, for £34;. from 1691-1714, he lived at Little Comp- 
ton, and owned a wind-mill; in 1692, Mar. 2, at Tiverton, 
he was an inhabitant at organization of the town; in 1696, 
Jan. 20, he appears to have moved to Tiverton, Bristol Co., 
Mass., and on Feb. 5, 1697, he conveyed property to Edward 
Grey; May 18, 1697, he and his wife, Sarah, conveyed to 
Joseph Taber of Tiverton, a husbandman, lands in Tiverton 
on Pungalogt Pong; on May 2, 1699, he gave a bond to 
Thomas Walker & Son, of Boston, a brick burner, in the 
penal sum of £3,012, on which William Southworth, of 
Little Compton, Bristol Co., Mass., and John Rogers, of 
Boston, Suffolk Co., were bondsmen; and on May 3, 1699. 
he made a conveyance to above named bondsmen, presum- 
ably to secure them from loss, of 130 acres of land ; and on 
Sept. 14, 1700, he granted to rioorge Sisson and Joseph 
Cooke, both of Portsmouth, E. I., lands at Tiverton, in 
which conveyance his wife, Sarah, joins him, releasing her 
dower rights; on March 6, 1700, at Boston, he mortgaged 
his home and dwelling in Tiverton to Joseph Cook; on Jan. 
20, 1696, he conveyed land; on Jan. 5, 1701, he conveyed 
land situated at Little Compton, Bristol Co., Mass., to 
William Peabodye, and also conveying his one-fourth inter- 
est in a certain wind-mill in Little Compton; and on Apr. 
22, 1720, he made his last recorded conveyance to .lob 
Briggs, of 53 acres of land in Tiverton; and in 1727 he 
was at Dartmouth, Mass. 

June 16. 1733, Sarah, widow of Thomas^, filed an inven- 
tory of her husband's goods; it was A-alued at £245 15s., 
and consisted of wearing apparel, £16 16s., 2 old Bibles, 8 
silver spoons and 2 silver cups, £13 4s., 3 linen wheels, 2 
woolen wheels, 2 cows, heifer, 2 yearlings, 2 calves, 4 swine, 
2 stacks of bees, etc. 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 17 

TnoMAs2, m. Sarah Cook, b. d. after 1733, dan. 

John and Mary (Borden) Cook; and they had three children. 

i. Maky°, b. , d. after 1759, in. John Earle. 

ii. Thomas% b. Dec. 21, 1681, d. 1757, m. Elizabeth 
iii. Benjamin^ b. d. Aug. 4, 1734, m. Mary 

6. Mart2 (Thomas^), h. d. 1713, m. Apr. 5. 

1G76, Joseph Anthony, h. d. 1728, son of John and 

Susanna Anthony, Dartmouth, Mass. They had four chil- 
dren, John, Joseph, Susanna and Thomas. 

VI. 7. EeubenS (Thomas^), d. Oct. 7, 1707. In 1685, 
he and others appeared at Plymouth Court as propri- 
etors of Dartmouth; in 1707, Oct. 11, his will was proven, 
and in 1707, jSTov. 5, his executor was his wife, Tahitha. He 
gave to his son, Thomas^half of farm, etc.; to wife, 20 acres, 
dwelling house and orchard for life, and movables forever; 
to four sons, Benjamin, Joseph, Eeuhen and Jeremiah, rest 
of land in Dartmouth, and af death of wife, the house and 
land that she occupies to go to them ; to daughters, Eleanor, 
Abigail and Tahitha, each £3. The inventory gave £271 
10s. 4d., viz.; Lands £150, 7 cows, 2 oxen, 2 steers, 4 year- 
lings, 20 sheep, 24 lambs, horse, half a yearling, mare, 14 
swine, 4 calves, 9 geese, 2 stacks of bees, 7 ban-els of eider, 
4 beds, warming pan, gun, pair of cards, books, etc. 

Reuben^, m. 1681, Tahitha Lounders, dau. of John and 
J ane (Kirby) Lounders ; and they had eight children. 

i. THOMAS^ b. Apr. 28, 1683, m. Mary Tripp, 
ii. Eleanok", b. Jan. 4, 1688, m. Abiel Tripp, 
iii. Benjamin-', b. Jan. 12, 1690, not married, 
iv. Joseph^ b. June 24, 1693, m. Elizabeth Wolf. 
V. ABIGAXL^ b. June 24, 1693, not married, 
vi. Keuben'-, b. Jan. 15, 1695, m, Elizabeth Hathaway, 
vii. Tabitha", b. Jan, 15, 1695, not married, 
viii. Jeremiah^ b. Jan. 16, 1698, d. Sept. 16, 1754, not married. 

IL Samuel 2 (Thomas^) (1640-1694), m. Hannah 
(Whitman?) of Kingston, E. I., and had/oza- children. 

1. Samuel J.^, b. about 1676, d. 1752, 

lived at Kingston and Exeter, E. I. In 1705, Apr. 21, he 
quitclaimed land to his uncle Eeuben, and is called grand- 
son of Thomas, of Portsmouth; in 1706, Sept. 2, he was a 
grand Juryman; in 1709, IMay 7, he and five others bouo-ht 
792 acres of the vacant lands in !N"arragansett; in 1725 he 
is mentioned in a deed; in 1728, in a deed, Samuel to his 



18 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

son Joseph; in 1735, in a deed, Samuel to liis son 
Samuel, Jr., and in another deed, Samuel to his sou 
John; and in 1740, in a deed to Simon Smith; in 1747, Dec. 
13, his will was proven; 1752, Apr. 15, his executor was his 
son John. He gave to his son Joseph all of farm whereon 
his house stands, containing 200 acres, with buildings and 
£50, and my riding beast and bridle; to son Samuel, west half 
of my homestead farm, he having a house thereon; to chil- 
dren of my deceased son, Benjamin, viz.: Virtue, Abagail 
and John, £250, divided at age; to son John, east half of 
my homestead and old part of my house, with new part at 
wife's decease, he paying the £250 above; to wife Alice, use 
of Avest half of house while widow, all indoor movables and 
£18 per year while widow, paid by son John. Inventory, 
£208 2s.; wearing apparel, £55; cash, £5 6s.; pewter, Bible 
and other books, £6; linen wheel, steelyards, warming pan, 
spice, mortar, etc. 

Samuel J.^, m. Alice Wightman, b. Dec. 29, 1666, d. 
1747, dau. George and Elizabeth (Updike) Wightman. They 
lived at Wickford, E. I., removed to Kingston, K. I. They 
had six children: 

i. Joseph*, h. Apr. 27, 1697, m. Sarah Smith Feb. 27, 1728, 
and had a son, Joseph. ^ Deed 1740 to John Gard- 
ner, and 1741 to son Josejah, Jr., m. again to Eliza- 
beth , Dee. 12, 1757. 
ii. Geokge*, b. Aug. 14, 1699. 
VIII.— iii. SAMIIEE^ b. Oct. 13, 170L 
IX.— iv. Benjajun*, b. 1702 or '03, m. Abigail Hall, 
v. Martha'', b. 
vi. JohnS b. Feb. 22, 1709. 

2. John^, b. Sept. 10, 1678. He is mentioned in deeds 
in 1724, 1737, 1738, and had, it seems, one son: 

1. JOHN^ b. 

3. Joseph2, b. May 18, 1682, and m. Elizabeth , 
mentioned in a deed, Oct. 7, 1702, and had a daughter (?) 

i. Ann*, who d. Jan. 14, 1794 (?). 

4. Susannas, b, Oct. 24, 1684, d. 1758, m. Mar. 24, 1692, 
to Moses Barber, b. 1652, d. 1733, and they had fourteen 
children, Dinah, b. 1693; Lydia, b. 1694; Samuel, b. 1695; 
Susanna, b. 1697; Thomas, b. 1699; Joseph, b. 1701; 
Martha, b. 1703; Euth, b. 1705; Benjamin, b. 1707; Mercy, 
b. 1709; Ezekiel, b. 1710; Abigail, b. 1713; Daniel, b. 1715; 
Ann, b. 1717. (See note, p. 12.) 



WAIT FAIkOLY OF RHODE ISLAND. 19 

III.— Josephs (Thomas^) (164 -1665), m. Sarah 
aud had a posthumous son, William,^ 

1. William^, m. Elizabeth and lived at Eoch- 

ester, Mass.; they had fizr children: 

i. Elizabeth^ b. Feb. 4, 1696. 
ii. EuTH*, b. Sept. 29, 1699. 
iii. WlLLIAM^ b. July 29, 1701. 
iv. Samuel*, b. Apr. 15, 1704. 
V. ABIGAIL^ b. Sept. 26, 1707. 

IV. — -JoHN^ (John*, John'^, Benjamin^, TJiomas^) was a 
revolutionavy soldier. About 1790-91 the family 
removed to Preston, Chenango Co., N. Y., where John^ 
Avas buried in an old cemetery near Preston Corners. 
A marble shaft was erected over the grave of John^ 
\>j his son Solomon and wife Lucy (Wells) Wait. 

John 5 and Mary had ten children. 

1. Solomon6, b. Oct. 15, 1768. 

2. Edward^, b. Oct. 2, 1770, m. Prudence Dickinson, of 
Conn. 

3. Betsey^, b. Dec. 22, 1772, m. Jonathan Bacon. 

4. SelahS, b. Feb. 15, 1775, d. Aug. 12, 1788. 

5. JohnG, b. Aug. 16, 1777. 

Crafts says he married in Preston, N. Y. Wlien a young 
man he settled at Oaks Corners, N. Y., where all the children 
were born. He m. Abigail Cranson. About 1840 the 
family removed to Macomb Co., Mich., where Abigail d. 
Feb. 11. 1854. He died at Eavenna, 0., Nov. 5, 1863, and 
was buried by the side of his wife, Abigail, at Chesterfield, 
Macomb Co., Mich. They had seven children: 

i. SAMUEIi'. 

ii. Daxiel'. 

iii, JoHX^ b. May 24, 1810, d. June 11, 1894, at Peru. Kansas. 
Buried at Burlington, Iowa. He married Martha 
Amelia Clark, April 9, 1835, who was b . at Talmage, 
Ohio, Feby. 1, 1819, d. at Peru, Kansas, Feb. 20, 
1898. Buried at Burlington, Iowa. Married at 
Kavenna, Ohio, and lived at Burlington in 1867. 
John' and Martha had three children. 

(a) Ameh'as, b. Dec. 25, 1835, d. Sept. 14, 1838, at 

Ravenna, O. 

(b) John Leman*, b. at Ravenna, O., Aug. 29, 1840, m. 

Sept. 21. 1864. to Letitia Carohne Williams at 
Burlington, Iowa. They had/owr children : 



20 WAIT FAMILY OF IlllODE ISLAND. 

(1) John Clay Milton", h. Oct. 9, 1866, m.vrda May .Southwell 

Mar. fl, 1892. 

(2) Jessie Beiming", b. June 11, 1875, m. William Henry David- 

son at Binlin'j;ton Apr. 15, 1902; had child Barbara Waite 
Davidson, b. Mar. 33, 1903. 

(3) Lola", b. Aus. 29, iiST7, at Burlington, Iowa. 

(4) Child'-", d. in infancy. 

(c) Mary Ella^, b. at Ravenna, O., Mar. 22, 1851, m. (1) 
John Monroe Eads, d. Nov. 12, 1880. Their two 
children : Alma Weston Eads, h. July 31, 1877, at 
Burlington, Iowa, d. July 1, 1894, at Peru, Kan- 
sas, and John Dale Ead^;, b. at Burlinsjton, Iowa, 
Nov. 15, 1880, and m. (2) Nov. 10, 1885! to Unudall 
M. HartzcU, b. at Newport. Pa.. .Nov. 9, 18H8, and 
they had four children : Max Waite Hartzell, b. 
Aug. 28. 1886. at Peru, Kansas, and D wight M. 
Hartzell, b. Dec. 4, 1888, at Peru, Kansas, d. .Jan. 
3, 1901; Harold Clark Harlzell, b. Aug. 1. 1891, 
and Dorothy Waite Hartzell, b. Nov. 18, 1894. 
iv. Chloe'. 
V. Melissa". 

vi. AliMA'. 

vii. Maky'. 

6. William^, b. Sept. 18, 1779. 

7. SuBMiT-6, b. May 13, 1782. 

8. Chesteks, b. Sept. 11, 1784. 

9. Judith^ and Electa^ (twins), b. Jan. 25, 1787. 
10. Maey6, b. June 20, 1789. 

Note.— John L.", who lived at Burliutrton. Iowa, and was editor and proprietor 
of the '•Burlinaton Hawkeye," spent much time, labor and expense in searching 
for records of Benjamin's^ branch of the Wait family. 

v.— Thomass (Thomas^) (164 -1733), lived at Tiv- 
erton, R. I., ni. Sarah Cook. They had three chihlren : 

1. MaeyS, d. 1769. She m. John Earle, son of Wilham 
and Prudence Earle, and thev had six children, Prudence, 
b. 1701; Mary, b. 1703; Oliver, b. 1705; Martha, b. 1708; 
WilHam, b. 1710, and John, b. 1717. 

2. TiiOMAsS, b. Dec. 21, 1681; d. 1757; in. Elizabeth 

, and she d. 1746. They had -five children: 

i. Sarah^, b. Sept. 23, 1718, m. Benjamin Newcomber, 
Sept. 31, 1736, and they had children : (a) PhebeS 
(b) Marv Ann\ (c) Selina''. 
X.— ii. Josephs b. Jan. 10, 1715. 
XI.— iii. Thomas*, b. Sept. 6, 1716, m. Bridget, 
iv. Elizabeth*, b. Dec. 21, 1718. 
XII.— V. John*, b. Nov. 6. 1720. m. Maw Sonle. 
vi. Mary', b. Apr. 11, 1722. 

In 1708, Mar. 16, Thomas^ l)ouo-ht land; in 1710, Feb. 
36, he and Job Briggs bought land; on Oct. 25, 1716, he 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 21 

and his wife conveyed land at Dartmonth to Jeremiah, his 
brother, land that was formerly owned by Kenben; in 1720 
he sold land; his brother Benjamin witnessed a deed Mar. 
15, 1726, he paid £42, 3s. 7d. in full redemption of a mort- 
gage by himself and his wife, Elizabeth, to several others, 
and given May 16, 1717; in 1746, Ang. 7, his will was 
proven; in 1757, Feb. 7, his executor, brother-in-law John 
Earle and cousin, William Earle, of Dartmouth; to 
daughter Elizabeth, a feather bed; to daughter Sarah, and 
Mary, rest of household stuff; to sons Thomas and John, 
certain land, they giving their sister Elizabeth her main- 
tenance; to son John, the rest of the personal estate. 

3. Benjamin^, d. Aug. 4, 1734; was a mariner, of Ports- 
mouth, E. I.; he left no will, but his Avife did, from which 
we know his family. He m. Mary , d. 1739, and 

they had five children: 

i. Annie*. 

ii. Sakah*, m. Peter Crape, Apr. 14, ITGC). 
iii. Deborah*. 
iv. Judith*. 
V. Elizabeth*. 

In 1734, Sept. 9, administration was granted to widow. 
Mary. The property was inventoried at £196, 2s. 8d., viz.: 
Wearing apparel, pocket book with £17 10s. in it; 4 beds, £9 
13s.; plate, £6, 14s.; pewter quadrant, £2, 10s.; books, 5s.; 
ship carpenter's tools, 3 old spinning wheels, warmjng pan, 
etc. Will was proven Kov. 12, 1739, widow, Mary. His execu- 
tors were daughters Sarah^ and .Elizabeth'^; overseers, 
brother-in-law, John Earle, and friend, Daniel HoAvland; to 
daughter Amey or Annie^ he left a spinning wheel, pewter 
platter, etc.; to daughter Sarah^, feather bed, spinning 
wheel, etc.; to daughter Deborah'*, two feather beds, black 
silk hood, pewter platter, etc.; to daughter Judith*, spin- 
ning wheel, etc.; to daughter Elizabeth*, spinning wheel, 
etc.; to executors, swine and fowls; to daughters Judith* 
and Elizabeth*, the use of wearing apparel and movables. 
Inventory, £106, 15s. 

VI. Eeuben^ (Thomas^), d. Oct. 7, 1707 and Tabitha 
had eight children. 

1. Thomas^, b. Apr. 23, 1683. admitted at Newport, E. 
I., as a freeman, May, 1732; m. Jan. 25, 1711, Mary Tripp, 



22 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

b. 1689; dau,, Joseph and Mehitable (Fish) Tripp, and they 
had eight children: 

i. Capt. John^, b. Nov. 30, 1711 ; m. Elizabeth Sullivant, 
Oct. 21, 1733 and they had si.r children. 

XIII.— Capt. William^ Tabitha^ Meribah", Mal■y^ Eliza- 

betli and Jolm Ward*. 

Note.— John Wait was the nth Justtee Suurome Court of Rhode Itrland in May, 
1787, anrl at a meetinj; of proi)rietors of purchase in South Kingstown, held Oct. 30, 
1708, Wordens Pond was conveyed to Col. John Waite of South lvin<r8to\vn if he 
would drain same, and he was permitted or empow ered by Geiri Assembly to do so 
and enlarge channel from Point .Tudith Pond into the sea. In Oct., 177G, .John Wait 
was allowed £7 for engraving two sets escutcheons for backs and borders of money 
bills. In May, 1777-9, John Waite is mentioned as Captain of Independent Coni- 
panv, Kingstown Beds, of South Kingstown, and he is also mentioned as Colonel, 
May, 1777. 

ii. Reuben^, b. Feb. 7, 1713, and d. jjrior to Nov. 5, 1757 ; 
m. Mar. 7, 1745, Rebecca Tripp, b. July 7, 1713. She 
was api>ointed guardian of her children May, 1760, 
and Avas administratrix of her husband's estate in 
1757. They had children : 

(a) Jeremiah". 

(i)) Pbe1)e\ b , m. Kirbv. 

XVI.— (c) John\ 
XVIL— (d) Reubens 
(e) Rebecca^ 

XVIII.— iii. ThomasS b. Feb. 39, 171(), admitted at Newport, 
R. I., Teb. 1738^0, m. June 6, 1713, Talntha 
Ellis, dau. Gideon Ellis, of West Greenwich, 
R. I., Thomas d. in 1790 and they had eir/ht 
children : Gideon^, Jeremiah", Thomas', Mary% 
Lydia\ Peleg-'', Rufus' and Alice*. 

iv. MARi"*, b. Apr. 5, 1718, and m. William Tripp, 
Nov. 13, 1743. 

V. Meribah^. b. July 20, 1720, and m. Benjamin Soule, 
Sept. 10, 1742. 

vi. Mehitable*, b. Nov. 18, 1722, and m. Henry Rey- 
nolds, Apr. 28, 1746, and their children were 
Thomas', Hannah-', Henry^ Mary-', Elisha-% 
Mehitable' andMartha-''. 
vii. Martha*, b. Apr. 5, 1725. 
viii. Alice-*, b. Apr. 23, 1729, East Greenwich, R. I. 

* 

' Thomas^, in 1721, sold his interest in his father's home- 
stead to his brother Benjamin^. 

2. ElingeS, b. Jan. 4, 1688; m. Jan. 5, 1704, Abiel 
Tripp, son of Abiel and Deliverance (Hall) Tripp, and they 
had ten children: Wait^, b. 1705; Abiel^ b. 1707; MaryS 
b. 1711; Sarah*, b. 1712; Eleanor*, b. 1715; Joseph*, b. 
1717; Eebecca*, b. 1719; Thomas*, b.. 1721; Elizabeth*, b. 
1725, and Amy*, b. 1728. 



W-^T FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 23 

3. Benjamin^, h. Jan. 12, 1690; he was a carpenter; d, 
1772. His will was probated Feb. 24, 1772. He was non- 
compos and had guardians after June 14, 1749. He was a 
Friend, Mar. 3, 1737, and died unmarried. 

4. Joseph^, b. June 24, 1693; m. Elizabeth Wolf, Nov. 
30, 1715. She it is claimed, was a near relative of General 
James Wolf. He was a blacksmith, and lived in Dartmouth, 
probably near Westport, Mass. Sept. 4, 1714, he sold his 
interest in his father's estate to his brother Benjamin; Oct. 
15, 1722, he bought lands in Dartmouth, Mass.; Nov. 14, 
1763, he revoked a power of attorney previously given to 
his son Samuel; Apr. 26, 1764, he conveyed his homestead, 
purchased in 1722, to his son Stephen; in 1722, he and Ste- 
phen sold land, and Jan. 30, 1773, he sold at Dartmouth; 
Sept. 15, 1761, he made his will, which was probated Aug. 
15, 1774; a deed 1774 shows Joseph to have been dead. 
They had eight children: 

VII.— i. Samttel*, b. Aug. 24, 1716, m. Theoclate Tripp, Oct. 8, 
1747, and they had th7-ee children : 

(a) Sarauel^ b. .lune 4, 1748, m. Sarah Cusbnian Apr. 29, 
1776, and they had two children: 

(1) E(iith«, b. Nov. 2, 1770, m. Isaac Bowman, Oct. IS, 1796. 

(2) Stephens, b. Dec, 1780. 

(h) Henry^ b. May 5, 1750, m. Phebe Aiken July, 1774 ; 
bans pub. ijune 4, 1774, and they had f re children : 

(1) Ruth*, b. Nov. 12, 1770, m. Job GiflEord, Nov.. 1800. 

(2) Patience^, b. May 18, 1779. 

(3) Rhoda', b. Oct. 6, 1781, m. Daniel Warden, Feb. 15, 1810. 

(4) Periyo, b. May 9. 1786. 

(5) Henry", b. .Tune 5, 1789. 

(?) (c) Roba^ granddaujihter of Joseph, m. Barnabus Sherman 
Apr. 29, 1776. 
XXL— (d) DanieP, b. Oct. 1, 1753, m. Phebe Manchester, bans 
pub. Sept. 25, 1775 (see post). 

XIX.— ii. Stephen*, d. 1778, m. Mary Tripp, May, 1764, and LiUis 
Church, Mar. 10, 1776. His will was proven Oct. 6, 
1778. He had by his first wife tivo children : 

(a) Shadrach\ b. Mar. 17, 1765, d. Apr. 25, 1850. 

(b) Gideon', b. July 21, 1766, and by his second wife, a 

dau., Mary5. 

iii. Alice*, in. Robert Sherman, Nov. 21, 1741. 
iv. Mekcy*, m. George Wrightington, Dec. 31, 1757. 
V. Elizabeth*, m. Barjonas Wilcox, Mar. 29, 1744. 
vi. Hann.\h*, in. Tripp, 

vii. Keziah*, spinster. 

viii. Mary*, b. May 24, 1718, spinster (?), but records show 
a child, Lillis, m. John Webb, Dec. 15, 1776. 



24 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

o. ABIGAIL", b. June 24, 1693, was a twin sister of Jo- 
seph^. She was a Friend, Felj. 19, 1726; did not marry. 

6. Eeuben3, b. Jan. 15, ]^9,j; d. 1757; m. Elizabeth 
Hathawa}', Aug. 2, 1720. He d. in 1757, and she received 
letters of administration Nov. 1, 1757." They had three (?) 
children. 

1. Josephs b. Sept. 17, 1722. 

ii. Jekemiah', b. Oct. 17, 1737, d. about 1782, m. Patience 
Kirby ; bans pub. Dec. 7, 1754, and will of Recom- 
pense Kirby to. dau. Patience and son-in-law Jere- 
miah made 1782. They had children : 

(a) Abucn b. Feb. 17, 1756, (1.1819; m. Susanna Buffiijo-- 

tou Nov. 8, 1775, lived at Day, Sarato<?a Co., N. Y.. 
and had at K-ast four children : 

(1) Jeremiah", born July 4, I7?(i, (i. 1889, had a son Isaac', h. 

Oct. 27, 1803, who was the father of Daniel D." and Sher- 
man J).** 

(2) William", b. Oct. 7, 17R1, who had a gon William. 

(3) Abuer. Jr.'', b. Nov. 7, 178i, who had son Warren", b. Nov. 

11, 1SC3. the father of Sevmonr D.""; and J. J.', Glens Falls. 
N. Y. 

(4) Reuben." 

(b) Reuben'-, b. Apr. 28, 1758. who lived at Galway, Sara 

toga Co., .N. Y'., who had a sou Reul)en''. who lived 
at Mo.sherville, N. Y". y 
iii. Reuben^. / l' ^ V 

7. TABixnA-, b. Jan. 15, 1P95* - She wa.s a Friend, Feb. 
19, 1726; twin sister of Reuben^; not married. 

8. JEREMTA^^ b. Jan. 16, 1698; d. Sept. 16, 1751; will 
made May 20, 1754; not married;' deed, Jan. 17, 1726. 

VII. — Samuel^ (Joseph'-^, Beuben^, Thomas^), b. Aug. 
24, 1716, m. Theodate Tripp Oct. 8, 1747, and he owned 
land and lived in Dartmouth Towushi}), Mass. (near 
Westporfc). He was the sou of Joseph and Elizabeth, 
m. Theodate Tripp, b. Apr. 7, 1709. 

The first public records obtained of Samuel'*, the son of 
Joseph^, and husband of Theodate Tripp, and the father of 
SamueF, Henry^ and Daniel'"', is in the Dartmouth Town 
Eecords, when he, on Sept. 15, 1717, announced his inten- 
tion to marry Theodate Tripp, the dau. of Ebenezer Tripp, 
b. Apr. 7, 1709, the marriage takins: place per same records, 
Oct. 8, 1747. 

Dec. 15, 1749, Gabriel Hix conveyed to Samuel, 20 acres 
next to Philipp Taber's Mills, and next to Ebenezer Tripp, 
who was his father-in-law, and who lived at Westport, 
where this land is believed to liave been located, and near 
nix's Bridge at Westport. SamueH m. Theodate Tripp in 



WAIT FAjNIILY of RHODE ISLAND. 25 

1747, SamueP was b.- in 1748, and Samuel^ and Theodate 
evidently moved to Westport in 1749, as Henry's birth, 
May 5, 1750, is not in town records, Dartmouth Tp. On 
June 4, 1750, Ebenezer Tripp, Samuel's^ father-in-law, 
conveyed land to Samuel, characterizing him as a laborer, 
which land was adjacent to above-described tract, and on 
road from Phillip jobert's Mill to Hix's Ferry. Mar. 12. 
1754, Samuel^, yoenian, conveyed to William Tal)er, land 
on highway by lands of Ebenezer Tripp and Gabriel Hix, 
and by those of Thomas Corey's, and by those of John 
Taber. ISTov. 20, 1758, Samuel'* conveyed to Lemuel Man- 
chester (who, in 1775, became the father-in-law of DanieP, 
the son of Samuel-*), 30 acres of land, all his homestead, 
where he then lived, together Avith all houses and buildings, 
said land being by that of David Tripp, and part on land 
of Gabriel Hix and that of Thomas Corey, westerly on 
land of John Taber, and on highway that leadeth from 
Jonathan Taber's Mill to the Friend's Meeting House in 
Acushnet Village, etc. It may be significant that Theo- 
date, his wife, did not execute this deed. July 31, 1759, 
eight and one-third months later, Lemuel and Alice Man- 
chester re-conveyed the same land to Samuel; and on the 
same day, July 31, 1759, Samuel* and Theodate conveyed 
the same homestead lands (28 acres) to "William Wood, yeo- 
man. This may indicate that Samuel gave up farming, and 
took to the sea, for Mar. 18, 1761, Walter Cornell conveyed 

to him as a laborer of Dartmouth, Bristol Co., land 

rods from Ichabod Kirby's line to Kirby's line, thence along 
Kirby's line to ye drift-way (drift-road?), thence southerly 
as ye drift-way runs, etc. Mar. 30, 1761, Samuel^, laborer, 
conveyed to I3enjamin Wing, land taken from the N. E. 
part of Walter Cornell's homestead, beginning in ye Or- 
chard and Driftway by Ichabod Kirby's line, and by 
Kirby's line; Feb. 16, 1764, Samuel^, laborer, conveyed to 
Caleb Tripp land taken from the IST. E. corner of Walter Cor- 
nell's Homestead, and Theodate, his wife, released her 
dower and third interest in said land. Both signed by 
their marks. Dec. 2, 1765, Benjamin Wing conveyed to 
Samuel, laborer, land next to Walter Cornell's, near Icha- 
bod Kirby's lane, and on the driftway of ye Samuel^ Wait, 
etc. Some time prior to Nov. 14, 1763, Joseph^, the father 
of Samuel^, had given to the latter a power of attorney to 
act for him, for on that date, Joseph^, yeoman of Dart- 



26 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

mouth, Bristol Co., Mass., revoked said power of attorney, 
and filed with the register of Bristol County a revocation 
containing the following: 

Joseph Wait^, yeoman of Dartmouth, Bristol County, — 
" whereas I, Joseph Wait^, upon trust and confidence which 
I had and am firmly in my son Samuel Wcighf^ of ye Town, 
County and Province aforesaid, laborer, or alias sea-faring 
man, did by my letter of attorney constitute and make ye 
said SamueP "Weight my full and lawful attorney, &c., and 
whereas ye said Samuel Weight hath by coullor of said 
authority to him given, behaved himself greatly to my hin- 
drance and damage, contrary to ye truth and confidence 
reposed by me in him, have revoked, countermanded and 
made void." 

The spelling of his own name Wait and that of his son 
Weight is perhaps meaningful ; also the use of the title sea- 
faring man. It does not appear in the records what was 
done by the son to provoke the father, but on Sept. 15, 
1761, when Joseph^ made his will, there was due from Sam- 
uel to Joseph^ a sum on a note, which was willed to Sam- 
uel*. This will was not probated until 1774, Aug. 15, 
eleven years after the revoking of the power of attorney. 
Samuel* and Theodate had three children : 

1. Samuel^, b. June 5, 1748; d. sometime before 1780, 
as Sarah, his wife, m. Chas. Davenport, Dec. 7, 1780. He 
Apr. 29, 1776, m. Sarah Cushman, b. Dec. 1, 1732; bans 
published Mar. 16, 1776. They had tivo children. 

i. Edy or EDITH^ b. Nov. 2, 1776." 
ii. STEPHEN^ h. Dec, 1780. 

2. Heney5, b. May 5, 1750; d. 18 ; m. 
to Phebe Akin, b. July 15, 1747; bans piiblished June 4, 
1774. They had five children: 

1. EtTTH«, b. Nov. 12, 1776. 
ii. Patience^, b. May 18, 1779. 
iii. Rhoda«, b. Oct. 6, 1781. 
iv. Perki^ b. May 9, 1786. 
V. Hbnry«, b. June 5, 1789. 

XXL 3. Daniels, b. Oct. 1, 1753; d. Oct. 15, 1829; 
bans published Sept. 25, 1773, to Phebe Manchester, b. 
Aug. 27, 1754, of Westport, Bristol Co., Mass.; dau. of 
Lemuel and Alice Manchester, who were married Oct. 2, 
1740. 

4. (?) RoBA^, m. Barnabas Sherman, Apr. 29, 1776; de- 
scribed in will as grand-daughter of Joseph. 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 27 

VIIL — Samuel"* {SarimeV\ Samuel^, Thomas^), h. Oct. 
13, 17(il, is believed to have bad a son Samuel^, b. 1734 
or 1738, Avho was a soldier iu the Continental Army in 
177G, and who went from Rhode Island to Vermont 
and thence to Canada. Samuel •% b. 1738, m. Ann 
Gardner, a Scotch woman, who d. January 14, 1794, 
at Exeter, R. J. He was a soldier in the Continental 
Army in 177G. She is said to have been stolen by her 
mother's brother, a Gardner, and brought to America. 
Samuel'^ and Ann had seven children : 

1. Calebs b. 1757. 

2. Gardner*^, b. July 30, 1759, who, in 1776, at seven- 
teen years of age, took his father's' place in the Continental 
Army; m. in 1783 to Lucretia Fillmore, dau. of John Fill- 
more, who was captured by pirates on ship Dolphin, in 
1723. Gardner^ went to Isle la Motte, Vt. ; had a son: 

i. William'', b. Jan. 21, 1783, m. Hanuali (Gardner ?) and 
was killed at Fort Erie iu the War of 1812, and who 
had a son William C, of Plattsburgh, N. Y., keeper 
of the Valcour lighthouse. 

3. Henry^, b. 1761, went to Vermont, and from thence 
to Potsdam, F. Y.; had children: 

i, William C, b. 1783, lived at Shoreham, Vt., and had two 

sons Clark and Norman B., Colton, N. Y. 
ii. Samuel\ b. 1785, Wisconsin, 
iii. Henky'', b. 1788, Pennsylvania, 
iv. ALLAN^ 1790, had a son Myron H*., Potsdam, N. Y'. 

V. John H"., b. 1798, had a family including. 

(a) William C.s, b. 1834. 

(b) Jackson A.^, b. 1827, Norfolk, N.Y., who had a son 

Leiand*. 

(c) Orville*, b. 1830. 

(d) Marshall L.«, b. 1832. 

(e) LoyaP, b. 1835. 

vi. Liithek", b. 1791, lived in Michigan. 

4. Barton^, b. 1763, EHzabethtown, K. Y. Had chil- 
dren. 

i. Barton'. 
ii. Ben.tamin'. 
iii. Jared C, b. June 4, 1804, who had sons : Edgar F^., 

Elvin O.* and Minor F.* 
iv. Freeman'. 
V. Anna'. 

5. Samuel^, b. 1765, and went to Canada. 

6. James*^, b. 1772, and went to Canada. 



28 WAIT FAJ\nLY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

7. Jonathan °, b. 1778, and went to Canada and had a 
son. 

i. Jonathan', b. 1790, of Amsterdam, N. Y. and Canada, 
West, who had a son, Henry^. 

IX. — Benjamin^ (Samuel^, Samuel-, Thomas^), h. 
m3, d. 1745, m. Abigail Hall, deeds 1740, will Nov. 16, 
1745, Wickford, E. I. They had seven^children : 

1. Henrts, b. May 27, 1725. 

2. Benjamins, Jr., b. Oct. 13, 1727(?); d. Nov. 6, 1817, 
of "Wickford, B. I.; m. Sarah Brown, dau. of Beriah Brown. 
Benjamin^ Avas a physician, an elder and at one time sheriif. 
They had ten children: 

i. CoL. BEKIAH^ b. Apr., 1758 or 1756, d. Apr. 13, 1820. 
He was an ensign, Third Co., North Kingston, E. I., 
May, 1778-9, a Lieutenant, Jnne, 1780, and a Colonel 
in the Continental Army for five years. In March, 
1781, he was a Deputy Sheriff. He m. first Nov. 30, 
1779, Asa Baker, d. Dec. 21, 1791, and they had nine 
children : 

(a) Christopher B.', b. June 23, 1780, m. (?) Betsev Bell, b. 

Oct., 1800, Albany, N. Y. Had children ■ 
(1) William A.s, h. Aus:. :^0, 1800, lived at Fall River, Mass., ar.d 
had chihlieii: William B.", h. Mar. 25, 18*1, father of 
William B.'", h. ,Tuly Vi, 1872: Christopher B'\ lived 232 
Halsey St., Brooklyn, X. Y.; B. A.», Waverlv, Iowa. 
(3) Beriah A.^, b. Mar. 1, 180:J, who had a son Edmund G." 

(3) Samuel C.s, b. Jnne 21. 1807, Gouvernour, N. Y. 

(4) Christopher B.», b. May 21, 1811. who had a son William A.^ 
(,5) Edmund G. Ii.», b. May £3, 1816. 

(6) Asas, Wickford, K. I. 

(b) Capt. Beriah''. Newport, K. I., b. 1808 ; will probated 

Jan. 29, 1860. 

(c) Aber. 

(d) Joseph''. 

(e) Danier.' 

(f) Benjamin''. 

(g) George'', Providence. R. 1. 
(h) Asa^ Wickford, R. I. 

(i) Anna^ Wickford, R. I. 

Col. Beriah*', m. again Hannah Arnold ; d. Sept., 1824, and 
they had seren children : 
(j) Joseph A.'' 
(k) Samuel E.' 
(1) Asa B.', b. 1807, of AYickford, R. I., who had a sou 

Freeborn L.*, b. 1839, Newport, R. 1. 
(m) Phebe''. 
(n) Sarah''. 

(o) Hannah\ b. 1800 (?). 
(p) Abbey'', b. Sept. 26, 1802 (?). 

ii. Ben.tamin*', b. , m. Elizabeth Spencer, Mur. 8, 

1801. 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 29 

iii. Stephen'', of Broadalbin, N. Y., no children, 
iv. Joseph^, of Broadalbin, N. Y., b. 1759, m. Abigail Clarke, 
Feb. 23, 1783 ; had children : 

(a) Cla^kc^ b. 1787. 

(b) Joseph^ b. Jan. 10, 1790, d. June 37, 1808, and hnd four 

children : Rev. O. J.^, Edmund P.«, William G.^ 
and Willard U 

(c) Beriah', b. 1794. 

(d) Stephen^ 

V. Edmund^ of Broadalbin, N. Y. 

vi. JoHN^ b. , m. Mary Clarke, Dec. 29, 1805, 

and they had /o«r children : Lydia'', Eunice^ Simon' 
and Sarah.' 
vii. Mary'', m. John Clarke, Jan. 17, 1786, Exeter, R. I., and 

went to New York, 
viii. Sarah^, m., and went to New York, 
ix. Elizabeth." 
X. Ltbia.* 
xi. Anna.** 

3. Eev. William^, b. Jan. 9, 1730, Wickford, E. I.; d. 
Mar. 20, 1826; admitted as a freeman at Kewport, E, I., 
May, 1757. He removed to Cambridge, K. Y., in 1774; m. 
Mary Nichols, b. Dec. 8, 1732, and she d. Dec. 28, 1822. He 
was a Baptist minister and a goldsmith, and he appears in a 
deed at Newport, E. I., Sept. 29, 1788. They had eleven 
children : 

i. Marx^', b. Feb. 9, 1752. 

ii. BEN.JAMIN^ b. Sept. 3, 1753, d. 1830 in Canada, m. Ann 
Waldo, b. 1757, d. 1853, and they had (hirfeeti 
chidren : 

(a) Abigail", b. 1753, Canada West. 

(b) John' , Munda, K Y. 

(c) Olive', Washington Co., N. Y. 

(d) Benjamin', said to have been exiled to Van Dieman's 

Land, to have escaped and to have then written 
Wait's Narrative. See p. 3o. 

(e) Mary', Crystal Lake, 111. 

(f) Washington, Z.', Belleville, Wis. 

(g) Ann'. Chicago. 111. 

(h) David V.', Vandalia, 111. 

(i) Daniel Dver', b. Aug. 28, 1795, Granville, Washinatoa 
Co.,' N. Y., d. Aug. 13, 1869, Chicago, 111. T m. 
Lucy Clapp (1800-1853) and ihey had children: 
Charles B.s, George W.», b.July 2, 1819, d. Nov. 
27, 1903; Cynthia A.^, Achsah E.^, Emily J.^ 
Campbell AV.«, .John M.^, Juliet S.* and Benjamin 
B.^ Yellow Spring, O. 

(j) Rev. Archibald', b. 1797, 1. Chicago, 111., had children : 
Wayland W.«, RacheP, Ann«. Mehone^ d. at 4 
years, Sinn**, Adda^, Lounda L.^. Lovina L.* and 
Helen M.« 



30 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

(k) Cyuthia', Woodstock, 111. 
(1) Waity^ b. 1801, Osage, Iowa, 
(m) Waldo\ b. 1801, Osage, Iowa. 

iii. SABAH^ b. Jan. 30, 1756. 

iv. JoHN«, b. Dec. 29, 1757 ; had children : 

(a) John'', Cambridge, N. Y. 

(b) Nathan, Sheridan. N. Y., claims that one of his Uncles 

was the Father of Benjamin, who was exiled to 
Van Dieman's Land in 1838. {See p. o5.) 

V. William", b. Jan. 10, 1760, d. 1832, and was a gold beater; 
had children : 

(a) William' ri788-1874). who had a son Heniy M.*, b. 1810, 

Genessee Co., N. Y. 

(b) Josiah' (1787-1862), served in war of 1812, New Le- 

banon, N. Y. ; had sons : 

(1) David P. 8, Galway, N. Y. 

(2) Edmond*, wbo lias sons, Josiah N.", William" and John". 
(;^) Josiah", b. 1817, and had a son Louis H'-*. 

vi. STEPHEN^ b. Oct. II, 1761, d. 1842 ; had children : 

(a) James', b. June 29, 1800, who had a .son, Noah.*^ 

(b) William', b. Sept. 19, 1802, lived at Cambridge, N. Y., 

who had a sou William H.'*, Jersey City, N. J. 

vii. Nicholas'', b. Apr. 16, 1763. 
viii. Joseph^, Mar. 6, 1765, and had a son : 
(a) Rev. Samuel', Raleigh, N. C. 
ix. Abigail", b. Feb. 10, 1767. 
X. EzKA«, b. Mar. 6, 1769. 
xi. Zeka«, b. June 18, 1771. 

4. Saeah5, b. Jan. 19, 1733(?), Wickford, E. I. Note- 
She may have married Peter Crapo, of Eochester, Mass., 
May 14, 1766. 

5. VietueS, b. May 12, 1737(?), Wickford, E. I.; m. 

Tripp, and for a second husband Vaughn; 

settled in Vaughn's Island, Mehone Bay; was living in 
1783. 

6. John(athan)5, b. Aug. 11, 1742, Wickford, E. I.; m. 
Margaret Sheffield; d. Oct. 20, 1817. He was a goldsmith. 
They had five children: 

i. Benjamin", d. at 7 years. 

ii. JoHN^, d. at 40 years. 

iii. Matthew", b. Aug. 15, 1781, Clerk of Supreme Court of 
• R. I., and had a son Benjamin C, Nevada City, Cal. 
iv. Abigail." 

V. Dorcas." 

7. Abigail, b. ; m. Joseph Case, and lived at 
Cambridge, N". Y. 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 31 

X.— Joseph'^ (Thomas^, Thomcifi-, Thomas^), h. Jan. 
10, 1715, ra. Elizabeth . They had chilclreu : 

1. Marthas, h. Mch. 10, 1738. 

2. Reuben^, b. July 24, 1740. 

3. Oliver^, b. Jan. 15, 1741; had child(ren). 

i. JosEPH^ h. A.pr. 21, 1778, lived Janesville, Saratoga Co., 
N. Y., who had a son William', the father of- D. B*, 
of Chicago, III. 

4. Major ElvertonS, or Yelverton^ b. Sept. 14, 1743, 
Coventry, R. I. ; m. Zipora . He was a major in 
the Continental Army, Rhode Island ^'olunteers, Kent Co., 
under Col. Nathaniel Brown. Oct., 1776. He had chilclren 

i. Wllliam", 1). July 2, 1761, Coventry, E. I., d. June 30, 
1849, at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and he had 
children : 

(a) John', Ballstou Spa. N. Y. 

(b) Mrs. S. M. Osgood', Chicago, 111. 

(c) Daniel', b. Jan. 38, 1798, Glens Falls, N. Y., father of 

William A^. 
ii. Sheffield^, h. Apr. 25, 1783. A Sheffield lived at Coven- 
try, R. I., in 1875. 

XI.— Thom.\s4 (^Thowxis", Thomas'^, Thomas^), Tiver- 
ton, R. I., b. Sept. 6, 1716, m. Bridget Crandall, bans 
pub. July 8, 1745, and they had eight children : 

1. Paine^, b. Dec. 12, 1745, Avho was a colonel in the 
Continental Army, and a Revolutionary pensioner, and d. 
at Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., Sept!!, 1845, aged 99 yrs. 
9 mos.; m. by Elder John Pendleton, Oct. 29, 1771, Keziah 
Crandall, of Hopkinton, dau. of Jeremiah and Keziah Cran- 
dall. He had, in 1774, three children over sixteen years and 
one under sixteen years. He had also a son: 

i. Benjamin^, b. June 27, 1776, and d. Apr. 25, 1857, at 
Brookfield, N. Y'^. He had a son : 
(a> Lewis', b. May 16, 1800, and lived at Gerry, Chautauqua 
Co., K. Y., and had ttro sons, Ephriam D.^. b. Feb. 
1, 1829, and lived at Gerry ; and Charles^ of Elling- 
ton, Chautauqua Co. , N. Y. 

2. Susanna^, b. Dec. 12, 1745, Hopkinton, R. I. 

3. Joseph^, b. Aug. 16, 1747. 

4. Sarahs, ]^, Apr. 6, 1749. 
XR^. — 5. Johns, -5. Mar., 1751.^ 

6. Jobs, b. Aug., 1753.' 

7. Graces, b. July 4, 1756. 

8. ThankfulS, b. Aug. 2, 1757. 



32 WAIT FAMILY OF KHODE ISLAND. 

XII.— John* [Thomas^, Thomas-, Thomas^), h. Oct. 
6 or Nov. 6, 1720, m. Mary Soule, Jau. 25, 1755, and 
tliey had Jive children : 

1. Maet^, b. Sept. 31, 1755, baptized at IsTewport, E. I., 
Apr. 6, 1774. 

2. Elizabeths, b. Au^. 9, 1757. 

3. SaeahS, b. Sept. 21 or 24, 1759. 

T^OTE. — A Sarah Wait was admitted to Newport Sabbatarian Chiircli May 31, 
178H, as from Ponesausctc. R. I., and in. Edmund Davii* Apr. 18, 179C. 

NoTE.~A Sarah VV'ait, d. Oct. li, 1818. Kaid to have l)f en aged 59, in. Pahner 

and they had a son, Isaac ; she m. Asa Avery and had children, George, b. Oct. 2, 
1792 ; Mary, b. 179;i, and they lived at Grafton, Renselear Co., N. Y. (gee Sarah', 
p. 31, supra). 

4. Johns, b. Dec. 4, 1762. 

See notes about John Wait, pp. 13, 14 and 21, Ante. 

5. EuthS, b. June 1, 1766. 

XIII.— Captain William' {Cupf. John^, Thomas^, 
Ileuhen-, Thomas^) b. February 10, 1735, held a com- 
mission under the King June 5, 1765, and he afterwards 
served in the Revolutionary War; m. Jan. 23, 1757, 
Thankful Mathewson, b. 1738 ; d. Dec. 2(3, 1816. They 
had three children : 

1. Eehben, b. Feb. 11, 1757, m. Mary Wait, May 11, 1775, 
sec post Mary (Thomas, Thomas, Eeubeu, Thomas). 

2. MaeyS or MeecyS, b. Nov. 10, 1764; d. Sept. 1, 1774. 

3. SaeahS, b. Aug. 19, 1774, d. June 19, 1794, m. Avery 
Cone, 1791, and had child, AVelthia^ b. 1791. 

XIV. — John' {Thomas'^, Thomas^ , Thohias- , Thomas^), 
b. Mar., 1751 (see p. 31, ante), or 

XV. — John Waed^ (Gapt. John^, Thomas^, Reuben-, 
Thomas^), oi Tiverton, b. about 1715 (which, has not 
been satisfactorily determined, but was probably the 
latter), m. Abigail Tripp, dan. of Stephen Tripp, of 
Dartmouth, by Rev. Peleg Burroughs, Dec. 4 or 23, 
1784. They had seven children : 

1. Saeah^, b. June 3, 1785. 

2. Patience^, b. May 13, 1788. 

3. PELEG^ b. Apr. 22, 1790, m. Euby Howard, Dec. 3, 
1817, and they had children: 

i. Stephen', b. 1821, New Bedford, Mass. 
ii. B. H.^ b. , New Bedford, Mass. 

iii. Emma'', b. m. Leavitt. 

iv. , b. , m. Chas. H. McCreery. 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 33 

4. Elizabeth^ or Betsey^, b. Dec. 8, 1793. 

5. Stephen^, b. July 20, 1795. 

6. JiRAH^, b. June 8, 1798, who had a son: 

i. Benjaiviin'', b. , who had ;i son (a) Alvin F.^ 

b. 

7. Nanct«, b. Kov. 26, 1800, m. Simmons. 
(?) Thomas^, b. Tiverton, E. I. 

XVI.— John 5 (Beuhen^, Thomas^, Reuben'^, Thomas'^). 
Will. June 22, 1833, Robert, executor; had three 
chiklren : 

1. Eeuben^, b. m. Delight Howard, Jan. 6, 
1802, and they had seven children: 

i. Henky.' 

ii. John'', who had a son, Edward W.^ 
iii. Mary A.'' 
iv. Judith.'' 

V. Reuben.'' 
vi. DANrEL H.^ b. who had children : 

(a) Stephen. 8 

(b) Daniel.* 

(c) John H.*, of \Ye.stport, 3Iass. 

(d) Henry. 8 

vii. Phebe'', b. about 1818. Delight was appointed guardian 
of minor children, Reuben, Daniel and Phebe over 
14 years of age, July 31, 1832. 

2. Robert^, b. , administrator of estate of 
John, Westport, Mass., 1834; had a daughter, Euth''', admin- 
istrator of estate of Eobert, Westport, Mass., 1844, 

3. Mart^, b. , m. Allen. 

XVII. — Reuben ^ [Reuben *, Thomas =*, Reuben 3, 
Thomas^), had a son : 

1. Eeuben^ (1768-1827), of Chester, Warren Co., N. Y., 
who had a son: 

i. George P.^ of Caldwell, N. Y. 

XVIII. —Thomas4 (Thomas-, Reuben^, Thomas'^), b. 
Feb. 29,. 1715, m. Tabitha Ellis in West Greenwich, 
R, I., dau. of Gideon Ellis, June 5, 1743, by John 
Spencer, Justice, she was dau. of Jeremiah and Judith 
Ellis, and she was b. in 1721. 

Thomas d. in 1790; his will was proven May 21, 1790, 
and a sample of the will executed over one hundred years 
old is given in D. Byron Wait's book, "A Genealogical 



34 WAIT FAIkllLY OF RHODE ISLAXD. 

Sketch of a Branch of the Wait Family (Rhode Island 
] branch) of America," from Mhich the records of this branch 
are taken. x\fter Thomas's death, his widow came to Peters- 
burg, ISF. Y., with her youngest son, Rufus, where she d. in 
1813. They had «^/i? children: 

1. Gideon^, b. Mar. 3, 1745, d. Apr. 1, 1808, m. Apr. 6, 
1766, at West Greenwich, to Lois Tripp, dau. of Peleg 
Tripp. She Avas b. Aug. 30, 1746, and d. Oct. 21, 1822. 
May, 1787, Gideon was 3d Justice of the Court of Com- 
mon Pleas for Kent Co., R. I., and 2d Justice May, 
1789. They had thirteen children: 

i. DoKCAS^ (1767-1828). 
ii. Eunice" (1769-1823). 
iii. SiLAS«, 1). May 5, 1771. d. Dee. 30, 185:^, and liad two 
sons: 

(a) Peleg T.', who had a sou Silas** A., Oneco, Conn. 

(b) Lloyd A.^ b. 188"), Oneco, Conn. 

iv. Jeremiah^ b. Feb. 22, 1773, d. Fel). 25, 1776. 
V. SiMON«, b. Feb. 23, 1775, d. Nov. 22, 1860, 1. at Hammoud, 
Lawrence Co., N. Y., had a son : 

(a) Gideon R.'', b. .Tan. 8, 1813, who had children : 
(') Henrys, Rochester, N. Y., and (2)Milton^ Ro- 
chester, N. Y., Henry* had a daughter (?), Ver- 
eilla^ 

vi. Thomas«, b. Oct. 22, 1776, d. June 15, 1858, had children. 

(a) Gideon E.', b. Jan. 13, 1802 or Mar. 39, 1803, d. May 16, 

1863, m. Sally Arnolds, June 32, 1822, and had 
children, Hannah^, Elsie^ Joseph J.*, Sally^ and 
OurY^ Norwich, Ct. 

(b) Albert M.\ ) 

(c) Thomas', V Three bachelors of West Greenwich, R. I. 

(d) AVaterman", ) 

(e) Hannah'', m. 

(f) Elsie^ m. 

(g) Sallys m. 
(h) Amy''. 

vii. GiDEONfi, b. Nov. 19, 1778, d. Nov. 25, 1820. 
viii. Reynolds^, b. Nov. 28, 1780, d. Feb. 10, 1837. Had 
children. 

(a) Gideou", b. Jan. 12, 1813, at Coventry, R. I., and d. at 

Providence, R. I. He had a son, John D., Provi- 
dence, and Henry C. 

(b) Benjamin T.', b. Sept. 6, 1817, d. Mar. 10. 1874, West 

Greenwich, R. I., who had a son, John A.*, of 
Providence, R. I. 

(c) Allen B.\ b. , Providence, R. I., who had a 

son, Theodore A.^ of Providence, R. I. 

(d) James B.', Warwick, R. I. 



WAIT FAJMTLY OF KHODE ISLAND. 35 

ix. BE^•JA5IIN^ b. Feb. 18, 1783, d. Jan., 1819. 
X. Lois«, b. Mar. 10, 1785, d. Jan. 11, 1867. 
xi. A SoN^ b. Mar. 30, 1787, d. same day. 
xii. Stephen", b. May 17, 1788, d. May 16, 1849, 1. Sardinia, 

Erie Co., N. Y. 
xiii. Hannah'' (1791-1847). 

2. Jeeemtah^, b. Apr. 1 or 12, 1749, at West Greenwich, 
111. Hannah Matteson. He was a Tory and moved to Man- 
chester, Vt., in 1792, and from thence went to Black Creek, 
Ontario, and d. Apr. 2, 1823, and his wife d. Mar. 6, 1839. 
He had brothers who lived at Tonawanda, N. Y. Thev had 
ten children: 

i. Jonathan", b. 1773, of Diimfried, Ont., bad a son : 

(a) Hcnry^ b. May 34, 1811, Blenheim, Ont.. who had a 
son, TJienzi', Washington, Ont. 

ii. Sakah^, 

iii. Kettben", b. , Grand River, Can., had a son, 

Benjamin', who was banished in 1838 to Van Die- 
man's Land for political oflfenses in Canada. He was 
prominently connected with the outbreak " Patriot 
War " in Canada in 1837, and was tried and con- 
demned to death at Toronto, but secured a new trial 
and was sent to England, condemned to penal servi- 
tude in Van Dieman's Land. He escaped after four 
years' imprisonment, and on his return to the States 
wrote and published " Wait's Narrative." 

iy. Levt^ 

V. Thomas", b. Mar. 2{], 1785, had sons : 

(a) Milo J.^ b. Mch.6, 1818, who had a son 

(') C J.8, Manchester, V. T. 

(b) Thomas A.', West Greenwich, R.I. 

vi. Hannah". 
vii. Elizabeth". 
■-^'viii. Ajiaktlija". 
ix. Makv". 
X. Lucy Ann". 
xi. Benjamin" (?). 

3. Thomas^, h. Apr. 10, 1755, m. ISTami Weeks, Jan. 1, 
1776; was an officer in Continental Army. They had two 
children : 

i. Eunice". 
ii. Lucy". 

4. Mart5, h. Feb. 11, 1757, d. Jan. 26, 1835, and m. 
Reuben Wait {Capt. William^, Capt. John'^, Thomas^, Reu- 
ben^, Thomas^'), May 11, 1775. They had five children: 

i. Mary", b. May 7, 1784. 
ii. Reuben", b. May 2, 1786. 



36 WAIT FAjMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

iii. Sakah«, b. May 22, 1792. 

iv. Silas Ward", a Judge and member of N. Y. Assembly, 
1842-1843, b. July 12, 1794, at Petersburg, N. Y., d. 
Jan. 20, 1869, m. Martha Odell (b. May 17, 1797), in 
1818. She d. Apr. 1, 1846. Her sister Mary m, 
Benjamin, the father of D. Byron Wait, and another 
sister m. Gardner Wait. Silas W. m. also Hannah 
Wilcox (b. Jixly 9, 1809), Mar. 9, 1851, and she d. 
Mar. 25, 1893 ; Silas W. and Martha and sz.r children : 

(a) Silas Franklin', h. May 17, 1819, d. Sept. 19, 1881. 

(b) Mary Caroline^ b. Apr. 30, 1831, m. Billings B. Hewitt 

Nov. 16, 1840. 

(c) Lydia C.^ b. May 26, 1826, d. Dec. 11. 1835. 

(d) Emila Juiietta^ b. Jan. 22, 1834, d. Mar. 3, 1867. 

(e) J. Annette'', b. A])r. 9, 1835, m. James C. Allen Dec. 

19 1855, lived at Huntington, W. Va. 

(f) Viola Victoria'', b, Mar. 29, 1838, m. Wm. K. Hawks 

Oct. 15, 1862. 

V. KiTFTis S.6, b. June 5, 1798, d. Mav 20, 1860, m. Louis 
Maxon, b. Mar. 1, 1800, d. May 11, 1882, and had 
eiffht children : 

(a) Adelia.'' 

(b) Kutus.' 

(c) Sullivan.' 

(d) Maria Saturia', ra. Jolin M. Stephens of Hasbrook 

Heights, N. J. 

(e) Reuben S. F.', b. Mar. 27, 1834, m. Aug. 6. 1854, Betsy 

Maria, dau. of Jabez Hakes, and tluy had ttco 

children : 
(1) Cheslor F.''. b. June 20, 1855. 

(^) William O.s, b. Oct. 13, lt<58, who hail children, Millard 
Rtubens, d. Dec. 18, 1901. 

(f) Sophia.' 

(g) Lois.' 
(h) Irving.' 

Rufus S. m. a second time Martha Odell. 

0. Lydia^ b. Mar. 19, 1759, m. Dake Moon, Oct. 16, 
1783, and they had nine children: Simon^, Stephen^, 
Rufiis*', Lydia^, Electra^', Thomas^, NoeP, Merritt^ and 
Jefferson^. 

6. PelegS, b. Oct. 22, 1761, d. Oct. 17, 1847, m. Dec. 25, 
1783, Mary Greene, b. East Greenwich, R. I., Mar. 24, 1766, 
dan. Benjamin and Mary (Greene) Green, he being a cousin 
of Gen. Nathaniel Greene. Peleg moved to Stephentown 
(now Petersburg) in Mar., 1785. They exchanged some 
household goods and a shot gun with a man by name of 
Wells, for his permit on the Van Rensselaer lands; obtained 
a lease of Stephen A'^an Rensselaer for the same, Mar. 13, 
1793; on which farm they d., she on Feb. 3, 1862. They 
had ten children: 



WAIT FAJillLY OF RHODE ISLAXD. 37 

Greene«, b. Sept. 26, 1784, d. Oct. 18, 1868, m. Diadama 
Clarke in 1803, and m. Lydia Moon, b. Apr. 15, 1791, 
d. Jan. 3, 1867, dau. of i)ake Moon (see supra), 1. in 
Michigan. They h-^di fifteen children : 

(a) Greene C.\ died 1883, m. Susan Stewart, and had 

children, Clemen O.s, Laura*, Philinda«, Fidelia*, 

Almanza*, Elizabeth* and Rose*. 
(1)) Nelson^ m. Orpha Sylvester, and had children, Mar 

viii*, Laura*, Martha*, Lutheria*, Stephen* and 

Addie*. 

(c) Electra^ d. 1832, m. Nicholas Jones. 

(d) Mercy'', who d. young. 

(e) Harriet\ m. David Patterson and had five children. 

(f) Noel M.'', m. Louisa Smith and Polly Dunton, had 

seven children : Cynthia*, Byron*, Joel*, John*, 

Louisa*, Harriet* and Electra*. 
(<>■) Amanda', d. 18.^1, ni. Stephen Parish and had /oi«- 

children. 
(h) Rufus M.'', d. 1886, who was thrice ni., to Nancy A. Car- 

lingljouse, to Mary Coe, and to Cynthia Stevens, 
(i) Laura\ d. 1863, m. Asa W. Farr and had children : 

Alice*, Elma*, Lyman* and States*, 
(j) Lydia'', d. 186:5, m. Dewitt C. Chapman and had nine 

children, 
(k) Henry^ d. 1889, m. Caroline McCrossen. 
(1) Alice'', m. George Jennings, 
(m) Lyman ().", m. Mercilla Lincoln and Valeria Brown 

and had fiiw. children : Marcus*, Rufus*, Lydia^ 

Ada* and Blanche*, 
(n) Julia'', m. William C. Ward, 
(o) Lucinda P ^ d. 1854, m. Daniel Slout. 
(p) Sardhiia E.'', m. Zideon Pierce and had one child. 

ii. Clakk G.'\ b. Apr. 3, 1787, d. Oct. 11, 1838, at Lockport, 
N. Y., m. Sept. 1808, Abigail Phillips, b. May 14, 
1701, and they settled at Granville, N. Y., she d. at 
Hartford, N.^'Y., June 3, 1863. They had thirteen 
children : 

(a) Paraelia'', d. 1881, m. Samuel B. Warren and had three 

children. 

(b) Elverton J.\ m. Abigail Roblee and Elizabeth Benway 

and they had ei^rZf^ children : Elverton E.*, Manser 
K.*, Maiden C*. Josephine*, Emma*, Sarah E.*, 
Merton B.* and Martha*. 

(c) Clare G.\ d. 1888, m. Charlotte Warren and Margaret 

Austin and they had three children : Ella*, Mal- 
colm* and Lewis K*. 

(d) Hamilton L.'', d. 1883, m. Esther Waller and they had 

three children : Lucy*, Martha* and Sarah*. 

(e) Manser K.'', d. 1893, m. Juha A. Haile and they had 

seven children : Josephine*, Pamelia Clarke*, Cas- 
sius*, Ida*, Emma*, Charles* and Istelle*. 

(f) Adauiram J.'', d. m. Caroline Bull and Amelia 

A. Landon and the had four children : Missouri 
L.*, Alsena*. Alton P.* and A. Judsou*. 



38 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

(g) Priscilla', m. Eli Ray, and they liad three children, 

Adelaide A.^, Maiden^ and Katharine^ 
(h) Martha', m. Henry Lefft. 
(i) Philetus G.', d. 1881, m. Delia Hale, and they had seven 

children : Delia'*, Altona*, Eva^ Inez^, Laura*, 

Nora* and Philetus*. 
(j) Leander R.'', m. Mehilable Martin, and they had seven 

children, Levi*, Eva*, Charles*, Mary*, Martha*, 

Manir K.* and Edward*, 
(k) AbigaiP, m. Zacharia Sill. 
(I) Dewitt C.'', d. young, 
(m) Harlan P.', m. Betty Laws. 

ill. Meeoys, b. Apr. 4, 1789, d. Dec. 11, 1876, at Rodman, 
N. Y., m. 1812 to William Gardner, and tliey had 
tiro children : 

(a) Peleg W.' (who m. Julia A. Wait). 

(b) William Harrison'. 

iv. Thomas^, b. Mav 1, 1791, d. Mar. 24. 18G1. iu Michigan, 
m. Chloe J^ Roblee, Apr. 13. 1821. She d. Oct. 11, 
1884. They had seven children : 

(a) Eliza J.'' 

(b) Maty L.' 

(c) Matilda A.", who m. Levi H. Lockwood. 

(d) Daniaiis A.", who m John S. Corbin. 

(e) Raxie E.'' 

(f) Franklin P." 

(g) Mary', who m. Dr. David McCrosseu, who had one 

child, Medora L.* 

V. Benjamin GREENE^ b, Apr. 7, 1793, d. Mar. 27, 1861, m. 
Mar. 30, 1817, Marv Odell, dau. of Jonathan and 
Mary (Abbot) Odell'; Mary was b. Aug. 20, 1798, and 
she was a sister of Mrs. Lydia Baxter, the j^oetess. 
They lived at Petersburgh,"^ 1817, Granville, 1818-26, 
and at Canadice, 1826-61. They had children : 

(a) Oran Leelan", b. Mar. 27, 1818. d. Feb. 24, 1847. 

(b) Benjamin Rilev", b. Nov. 19. 1819, d. Dec. 25, 1880. 

(c) Edwin Giles', b. Jime 11, 1824, m.Mav 13, 1856, Julia 

E. Stone, and in March, 1849, went to California, 
and in 1898 was Secretary of State. They had 
children : 

(1) Ida Victorias, b. Feb. 12, 1857. d. July 7, 1S60. 

(2) Julia Bertha*, b. Aug. 37, 18G1. 

(3) Mary Agnes'*, b. Dec. 10, 1864, m. Dec. 3, 1885. O. I. Remmel. 

(4) Effie Genivieve', b. Feb. 24, 1871. 

(5) Edith Alices, b. Mar. 22, 1873. 

(d) Dennis Byron', b. Feb. 29, 1828, at Canadice, N. Y.> 
m. Sept. 4, 1855. Harriet Meruida Brown, b. June 
28, 1833, oldest dau. ^laurice and Merinda (Fox) 
Brown. Thev lived at Canadice. where she d. 
Oct. 15, 1869. " To D. Byron Wait the Rhode 
Island Family is deeply indebted for his researches 
and publication of his branch of the Wait family. 
They had children : 



WAIT FAJVnLY OF RHODE ISLAND. 39 

(1) B. Aiidubous, b. Apr. 7, 1857, lived at Little Pulls, Wash. 

1890, and at Waiieta, B. C, 1893. 

(2) Geiicvras, b. Jan. 17, 1859, d. Apr. 9, 1873. 

(.3) Burettas, b. Aug. 19, 1800, d. Nov. 27, 1881, in. Nov. 27, 1879, 
Dayton Muchler, and had one child, Percival, b. Feb. 18, 
188"l. 

(4) G. Percival*, b. July 30, 1862, and went to Kettle Falls, Wash., 
in 1890. 

Dennis Bvron'^ m. ao-ain m. Apr. 16, 1872, 

Amanda M. Colvin, b. Feb. 18, 1839. 

(e) Mary Emeliue'. b. Mar. 22. 1830, d. Sept. 19, 1863. ni. 

Apr. 22, 1857, Charles O. BalJ, lived at llastinss, 
Minn. They had children : C. Arthur and Charles 
Albers. 

(f) Emily Augusta", b. June 17, 1833, m. .Jan. 9, 1856, 

David S. Burton, and lived at Rochester, N. Y. 
They had children : Clarence D., AVillie B., Edwin 
W., Edgar, Hannah A. All dead. 

vi. Alice«, b. July 6, 1795, d. Sept. 26, 1827, m. Feb. 17, 
1817, James B. Hewitt, and they had children : Ala- 
manza, Peleg W., Mary, Emily and Alice, 
vii. Tabitha^ or Polly^ b. k\n\ 18, 1797, m. kSpink Mattesou 
Sept. 6, 1835, lived at Forreston, 111., and their 
children were Clark K. and Hai'low L. 
viii. Mary«, c. Apr. 30, 1799, d. Dec. 30, 1853, m. Sept. 25, 
1823, Calb Wells. They had children: Horace W., 
Mary M., William S., Zacheus C, Pamelia and 
Priscella. 
ix. Lois", b. Dec. 8, 1801, d. Sept. 11, 1873, m. Sept. 12. 1824, 
Calvin P. Hill, and they had children : Orriii D., 
Laura A., Alice M., Clarke C. and Fi'ances A. 
X. LAUKA^ b. Xov 5, 1804, d. Dec. 5, 1831. 

7. EuFUsS, b. Apr. 23, 1764; m. Dec. 2, 1784, Eunice 
Hall, and their children were: 

i. DUTY^. 

ii. Lydia^. 
iii. Jeremiah*. 
iv. John*. 
V. Lois*. 

vi. Gardner*, b. Dec. 23, 1801, of Harton, Jackson Co., 
Mich., had as son K G.'', Westfield, N. Y. 

8. Alices, ]j, 1759^ a. 1828; m. William Potter and went 
to Vermont. 

XIX. — Stephen* {Joseph^, Reuben^, Thomas^), m. in 
Dartmouth, Mary Tripp, May, 1764, and after her death 
m. Lillis Church, Mar. 10, 1776. 

His will was dated Apr. 15, and proved Oct. 6, 1778, in 
which are mentioned wife Lillis, sons Shadrach and Gideon, 



40 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

and daughter Mary. " Sons to support Aunt Tabitlia." 
Children by first wife: 

1. Shadkacii^, b. in Dartmouth, Mar. 17, 1765; d. Apr. 
25, 1850; m. in Dartmouth, Susannah Tripp; b. Apr. 15, 
1769; d. Dec. 25, 1861. 

They had children: 

i. Stephen", b. Nov. 12, 1785, d. Apr., 1879. 
11. Joseph^, b, Apr. 29, 1788, d. Sept. 5, 1865. 
ill. Elizabeth", b. Jan. 5, 1790, d. Oct. 3, 1870. 
Iv. EuTH", b. Jau. 6, 1792. 
V. Maky", b. Jan 31, 1794, d. 1869. 
vl. Gideon", b. Dec. 19, 179.^). 
vll. Absalom", b. Sept. 11, 1797 ; lived at Hagadorus Mills, 

Saratoga Co., N. Y. 
viii. Desike", b. Oct. 20, 1799, d, 1872. 
ix. Diana", b. Jan. 27. 1801, d. Nov. 13, 1858. 
X. Esthek a.", b. Mar. 4, 180;5. 
xl. Daniel T.", b. Jau. 2, 1805, d. May 13, 1806. 
xll. Jonathan", b. Sept. 28, 1806, d. Feb., 1807. 
xiii. William S.", b. Dec. 28, 1808, lived at Belle Center, Wis. 
xlv. Daniel D.", b. Oct. 6, 1811, lived at Fowlersvllle, Mich. 
XV. Sarah W\", b. Mar. 24, 1814. 

2. Gideon^, b. in Dartmouth, July 22, 1766; m. Aug. 17, 
1788, in Westport (which, previous to 1787, formed a part 
of Dartmouth), Desire, dau. of Daniel Tripp, b. Apr. 18, 
1765. In 1795 he removed to Galway, Saratoga Co., N. Y., 
where he d. Jan. 13, 1858. His wife d. Sept., 1845. Their 
children were: 

1. William TILLINGHAST^ b. at Westport, Mass., June 13, 
1789. m. In Barkervllle, N. Y., Jnlv 14, 1811, Pamela 
(dan. of Samnel Shove Barker), b. Apr. 21, 1792. He 
d. In Galway, Mar. 24, 1841 ; she d. at Sandv Hill, 
N. Y., Jan. 28, 1872. They had children : 

XX.— (a) Nelson William'', b. in Galway, Dec. 27, 1812. 

(b) Samuel B;irker\ b. in Galway, Sept. 30, 1814. m. Jan. 

17, 1852, Mary E. Prall, b. Dec 25, 1830, d. May 
8, 1879. They had children : 

(1) William Neli^on. b. Feb. 10, 1855, d. June 10, 1857. 

(3) Catherine Salina, b. May 30, 1857, m. Oct. 27, 1881, George A. 
Griffin, and they bad two children, Mamie Elizabeth 
Griffin, b. May 18, 1884, and Eliza (iriffin, b. 3Iar. 31, 18S8. 

(c) Lydia Ehnina'', b. iu Galway, June 25, 1817, m. Sept. 2' 

1843, Dr. Darius Mathewson. They had children 
James William, b. Julv 6, 1845, d. 3Iar. 22, 1S58- 
Phffibe Pamela, b. Mar.' 18, 1848, d. Mar. 23. 1849* 
Frank Nelson, b. Sept. 8, 1850, d. Nov. 21, 1851 ; 
Emma Louisa, b. Apr. 12, 1855, d. Mar. 13, 1858 ' 
Hettie, b. Oct. 23, 1858, d. Dec. 15, 1866. 



WAIT FAAHLY OF RHODE ISLAND. 41 

(d) Philip Hart^ b. in Galway, July 28, 1819, m. Dec. 38, 

1842, Lydia Ann (daughter of Amos Marihew), b. 
May 25, 1825. 

(e) Rhoda Desire", b. in Galway, Mar. 14, 1826. d. July 5, 

1856. m. Dec. 12, 1850, William S. Taylor. They 
had children: Pamela Jean, b. 1851, d. Jan. 11, 
1873; Isabella Frances, b. Oct., 1853, d. Mar. 13, 
1858. 

ii. EHODA^ b. in Westport Jxxly 10, I79I, d. June 26, 1835, 
m. at Galway, N. Y., to Philip Hart in 1811. 

3. Mary^, by second wife, Lillis, b. in Dartmonth; m. 
Jonathan White, Apr. 8, 1789. 

XX. — Nelson William^ {William T.^, Gideon^, 
Stephen^, Joseph^, lleuhen-, Thomas'^), b. Dec. 27, 1812, 
m. in Gleuville, N. Y., Oct. 26, 1836, Betsej^ (daughter of 
John Potter Green), b. in Glenville, Oct. 8, 1815. He 
removed to Sandy Hill, N. Y., May, 1850. They had 
children : 

1. John William^, b. in Galway, Aug. 25, 1839; d. May 
2, 1903; m. in Amsterdam, N. 1^, Dec. 12, 1866, Mary An- 
toinette (dau. of George Warnick, Esq.), (see genealogy of 
Keyes family, by Asa Keyes, Brattleboro, Vt., 1880). They 
had children: 

i. Nei^son WIIiIiIAM^ b. in Sandy Hill, Nov. 5, 1867. 
ii. George Warnick^, b. in Sandv Hill, Sept. 12. 1869. 
iii. M.\RV Fe.^nklin^, b. in Sandy Hill, July 20, 1876. 

2. Mary Kim^, b. in Galway, July 17, 1814; m. Oct. 26, 
1869, Thomas Lloyd Dalton. They had child: Nelson 
Wait Dalton, b. in Sandy Hill, Oct. 28, 1873. 

3. Lydia Pamela^, b. in Galway, Feb. 15, 1846; m. Oct. 
26, 1871, Charles Edward Noble. They had children: Mary 
Riggs Noble, b. in Sandy Hill, Oct. 1, 1872; Harvey Fish 
Noble, b. in Sandy Hill, March 9, 1875; Bessie Wait Noble, 
b. in Colorado Springs, Aug. 5, 1878; d. Oct. 15, 1878. 

XXL — Daniel^ {Samuel'^ , Joseph^ , Reuben^, Thomas ^ ). 
He was a cooper by trade and also a farmer. 

On Mar. 17, 1787, DanieP was grantee of lands adjacent 
to those of Jeremiah Wait, from Stokes Potter; and on 
Dec. 2, 1789, as yeoman, he was grantee of a piece of land 
at the head of the Apponagansett River, on the highway, 
conveyed to him by William Barker; on July 7, 1791, Abra- 
ham Tucker conveyed 881 rods of land to Daniel near the 
head of the Apponagansett River; July 11, 1791, Philip 



42 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

Shearman conveyed to liim land at the head of Apponagan- 
sett Eiver; Aug. 25, 1791, William Barker conveyed lands 
to him; Oct. 31, 1791, Ahijah Shearman conveyed lands to 
him; Feb. 7, 1792, Job Devoli conveyed 51 acres to him, 
with witnesses by the name of Tripp; Nov. 3, 1792, Ahijah 
Shearman, of Eensselaer, County of Eensselaer, New York, 
cooper, for 80 Spanish milled dollars in had paid by Daniel, 
yeoman, of Dartmouth, Bristol County, Mass., conveyed 
land in Dartmouth. The deed was executed in Albany 
County, and the sister of tlie grantor, Shearman (Mary 
Aken), owned land next to the above parcel, which shows 
that Daniel had acquaintances and was in communication 
with friends in Albany and Rensselaer counties, New York, 
in 1792. 

Apponagansett lies at the head of the Apponagansett 
River, which, though called a river, is but an arm of the 
sea and comes to an abrupt end, within 100 feet of which 
is an old stone wall. This is a very old settlement and is 
the location of the town hall of the town of Dartmouth, 
where the town records are kept. The highway crosses a 
small creek scarcely 10 feet in width, about 200 feet above 
the head of the Apponagansett River, by which the above 
land was described. Except the town the hamlet contains 
only a blacksmith's shop at present (1903). The location 
of the lands conveyed to Daniel could not be mistaken, as 
the head of the Apponagansett River is so well defined. 

On Sept. 9, 1790, for 90 Spanish milled silver dollars, 
Daniel Wait conveyed to Joseph Tucker and David Gifford, 
of Dartmouth, 8 acres of land adjacent to that of Deborah 
Shearman and Philip Shearman and Elijah Russell, which 
lands were at the head of the Apponagansett River, being 
the same land that was set off at the head of the Apponagan- 
sett and a part of the homestead of Abraham Shearman 
that was set off to his daughter, Hannah, the wife of Abra- 
ham Tucker. This conveyance was executed by Phebe 
Wait, the wife of Daniel, who did yield up her power of 
thirds and dower, etc., of Sept. 9, 1793. Apr. 26, 1792, 
Daniel Wait conveyed to Henry Wilcox lands adjoining the 
above, and Phebe Wait, by her mark, joined in the convey- 
ance, which was aclmowledged May 17, 1792. Jan. 29, 
1794, Daniel Wait conveyed to Joshua Weeks, a blacksmith 
of Westport, lands adjacent to the above in Dartmouth, 
and Phebe Wait, by her mark, joined in the conveyance. 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 43 

This is the last recorded conveyance by Daniel, in Jan., 
1794. The above evidence shows that Daniel and Phebe 
had acquaintances at Westport. 

June 10, 1796, Lemuel Manchester, of Westport, made his 
will, which was probated Nov. 7, 1797, by which he gave to 
his daughter, Phebe Manchester Wait, 1 cow, 13 sheep, all 
his household goods and indoor movables of every sort and 
kind that he had not otherwise before given away, except 
one chest to his son James. He also gave to Daniel Wait 
a note upon Job Albro which he had theretofore given to 
Daniel to collect. The above will and inventory are in 
probate records at Taunton, Mass., Vol. 35, pp.173-176. 
John Tripp made the inventory of Lemuel Manchester's 
goods, etc. 

This shows conclusively that Daniel married Phebe Man- 
chester, and that probably they were living in Dartmouth, 
in 1796. The last child recorded in the Town Clerk's office 
in Apponagansett born of Daniel and Phebe was James, 
born Jan. 6, 1785. 

Daniel served as a private in Capt. Benjamin Wilcox's 
company, in Col. Nathan Freeman's regiment from Bristol 
County, Mass., which company served in an expedition to 
Rhode Island for one month, Sept. 29 to Oct. 29, 1777 
(p. 157, Mss. records of companies of the town, of Dart- 
mouth, Mass., in public library, New Bedford). Daniel's 
name also appears on the pay-roll or voucher for wages, 
mileage and subsistence due to the XXX company, in the 
2nd regiment in Bristol County, for duty in the late army at 
Pihode Island, made and accruing to the Continental estal)- 
lishment. The voucher was for Daniel Wait and others, 
privates, for five days; traveled 18 miles from Aug. 3 to 
Aug. 8, 1780. This service was rendered as a private in a 
company commanded by Capt. Avery Parker, of Dartmouth, 
Mass., in Col. John Hathaway 's regiment, of Bristol County, 
for six days on an alarm at Rhode Island. Henry, probably 
the brother of Daniel, was also a private in the same com- 
/ pany and expedition, and John Wait was a member of Capt. 
Manassah Kempton's company, of the same regiment, in 
July and Aug., 1777. 

The bans or intentions, so-called among the Quakers, of 
Daniel Wait and Phebe Manchester, were published Sep- 
tember 25, 1775, but the date of the marriage is not re- 
corded in the public records of Dartmouth Township. The 



44 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

impression prevails among the descendants of Daniel and 
Phebe that she, Phebe, was the widow of one Shaw, but 
that is believed to be a mistake, as is shown by the records 
in Dartmouth Township and the will of Lemuel Manchester. 

Daniel's acquaintance with Phebe Manchester may have 
grown out of business relations between Samuel Wait, 
his father, and Lemuel Manchester, her father, as is shown 
by two conveyances: one, Nov. 20, 1758, from Samuel 
Wait to Lemuel Manchester, 30 acres, " being all my home- 
stead from where I now live, together with all houses, build- 
ings," etc., bounded by land of David Tripp and partly by 
land belonging to Gabriel Hix, and by land of Thomas 
Cory, westerly by land of John Taber and by the highway 
that leadeth from Jonathan Taber's mills to Friends' Meet- 
ing House, in Acoakset Village, etc. (This land was doubt- 
less in Westport, near Hix's Bridge, where Samuel Wait 
and Lemuel Manchester are believed to have lived. This 
is shown by the above records, where Phebe Manchester is 
recorded as from Westport); and two, a conveyance dated 
July 31, 1759, when Lemuel Manchester conveyed to Sam- 
uel Wait land in Dartmouth, Bristol County (Westport?), 
described as being adjacent to that of David Tripp, Gabriel 
Hix and John Taber, which without doubt is the above de- 
scribed premises. Allie, the wife of Lemuel, joined in this 
conveyance. From the above it appears that in Nov., 1758, 
Samuel conveyed his homestead to Manchester, who, in 
about eight months, reconveyed it back to Samuel. This 
may have been prompted by business exigencies. 

It may be explained, however, by the fact that on the 
same day, July 31, 175;>, Samuel Wait, yeoman, conveyed 
to William Wood, yeoman, 28 acres, " being all of my home- 
stead farm where I now live, with houses and buildings, 
which followeth northerly on a highway that leadeth from 
Philip Taber's mills along the land of John Potter; thence 
easterly by lands of David Tripp and belonging to ye heirs 
of John Taber and partly by lands of Gabriel Hix; thence 
southerly by lands of Thomas Cory." etc.. which is plainly 
the lands above described from Samuel Wait to Manches- 
ter, and from Manchester to Samuel. This last deed was 
signed by Samuel and Theodate Wait, his wife, each by his 
and her mark. 

Samuel had evidently made Lemuel Manchester his con- 
fidant, and probably the relations between the families were 



WAIT FAAIILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 45 

intimate, thus making Daniel Wait acquainted with Phebe 
Manchester. 

Daniel having prior to 179-i sold his lands to others, and 
Lemuel Manchester having died prior to Nov. 7, 1797, and 
James, the last child, presumably born at Dartmouth in 
1785, fixes the probable date of Daniel's departure for 
Albany and Saratoga counties, New York, these circum- 
stances having put him in funds to make the departure. 
If Daniel did not go to Saratoga County in 1797 or there- 
abouts, he did doubtless leave Dartmouth. 

It is a significant fact that the oldest inhabitants of Appo- 
nagansett have no recollections whatever of Daniel Wait 
or of any other family of Waits that lived in that neighbor- 
hood, nor is there any physical evidence of their residence 
there except the public records described and also the rec- 
ords of the Society of Friends or so-called Quakers. 

By these records of the Friends (now, 1903, in the posses- 
sion of Nathaniel Howland, of South Dartmouth, Mass.), 
Samuel's uncle, Benjamin, and his aunts, Abigail and 
Tabitha, were witnesses to intentions to marry, as follows: 
Tabitha Wait, Abigail Tripp and Wait Tripp, on Feb. 19, 
1726 ; Benjamin Wait and Abigail Tripp, Mar. 3, 1737. There 
also appears in said records of the Society of Friends the 
name of Patience Wait, Nov. 18, 1756 (Patience was the 
wife of Jeremiah and had child Abner, Feb. 17, 1756), and 
Wait Shearman, Jan. 11, 1729. From these records it is 
quite evident that several at least of the children of Eeu- 
ben Wait belonged to the Society of Friends. The policy 
of this society was to forbid or at least to discourage the 
marking of graves with headstones. The result is that the 
burial ground of this same society, located about half way 
between Dartmouth (Russell's Mills) and Apponagansett, 
has no gravestones prior to 1800, and very few since then, 
although it is estimated to contain several thousand graves. 

Daniel^, b. Mar. 21, 1754 (Nov. 1, 1753, or in 1751) ; 
d. Nov. ]5, 1829, at Keadiug, N. T., and buried at 
Reading in Lake Road Cemetery ; m. Phebe Man- 
chester of Apponagansett, Mass., Sept. 25, 1775, b. 
Aug. 12, 1754, d. Sept. 11, 1838. They bad twelve 
children : 

1. Abigail^, Dec. 8, 1775, at Dartmouth, Mass., and lived 
in Yates Co., N. Y. ; d. June 11, 1831. She married Joshua 



40 WAIT FAl-ULY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

Stoddard and they had children, one of whom lived at Dix, 
N. Y. 

2. Ebenezer6, b. Feb. 39, 1777, at Dartmouth, Mass.; 
d. July 4, 1844, at Unadilla, N. Y. He was a farmer and 
married Eebecea Wilbur, of Saratoga, N. Y., at Sand Hill, 
N. Y. They had five children. (For a second wife Ebe- 
nezer m. Susan Sisson. 

i. THO>IAs^ b. June 26, 1798, at Unadilla, N. Y., d, Feb. 

1835, at Bolivar, Alleghany Co., N. Y., farmer ; m. 
Amanda Cowles of Unadilla, at Unadilla, in 1821 ; 
she m. again Joseph Mnlkin, and d. abont 1880. 
They Ix&Ajive children : 

(a) Cyna'*, who'died young. 

(b) Sally ^ 1). 1822 or '2.'), d. 1857, m. Horace Scott, Sept., 

■ 1850. 

(c) Llewelyn, d. aged IT. 

(d) Samuel Newton^, b. 1823 or '27, d. 1864 or '68 at Ann- 

apolis, Md., in the Navy ; m. Julia Busbv 1860-65. 

(e) Andrew ,]\ b. 1837 or 'SO. d. Aug. 7, 1857. 

(f) Mary^ b. 1832. There are no living descendants 

of Thomas'. 

ii. Stephen', b. Mar. 2, 1802, at Unadilla, N. Y., d Oct. 6, 
1872, at Otego, N. Y., he was a farmer ; m. Anna 
Rowley of Otego, N. Y., at Otego, Feb. 19, 1824 (Apr. 
25, 1824). They had./?>e children : 

(a) David*, b. Dec. 8, 1824, at Otego. Otsego, Co.. N. Y., m. 

Abigail Davi^ at Sand Hill, Otsego Co., N. Y. 
She was b. in 1825 at Unadilla. N. Y. They 
had/o«r children : 

(1) Stephen*, b. .Jan.. i8.50, d. Dec. , 1890, m. Oct. 14, 1874' 

Etta Hodsre, had two children. William D. and a dau. b- 
May 14, 1S88, d. Oct. (i, 1891. 

(2) Sylvia" b. May 25, 18.54, in .Tan. 1, 1875 to Walter Latham. 

(3) Cuiarles», h. , i8,5S, m. Sept. 10, 1881, to Addie Steele, 

had one !«on, Frank I).: Charles married for gccoiid wife 
Alice Mallorv. 

(4) Came", b. Aus". 14, 186.5. n). Jan. 1889. to Thomas Southard, 

and they have two .sons:. 

(b) Charles*, b. Jan. 12, 1830. at Guilford. N'. Y.. m. Molly 

A. Miller at Beech Creek. Pa., on July 21, 1860. 
and thev lived at Lock Haven, Pa. She d. Nov. 
15, 1886! They had three children : 

(1< George J.", b. Sept. 16, 1861, m. Annie R. Earue of Lock 

Haven, Pa.. Mav 6. 1891. had two children, Vera Viola, b. 

Dec. 7. 1892, Charlee Leslie, b. Jan. 31, 189*. 
(2) Charles Ellis", b. Feb. (i, 1866. m. Margaret J. Salteman, June 

14. 1893. The.v lived at Lock Haven, Fa. 
(3; Minnie Olive", b. Muv 19, 1868, m. J. William Hamberger at 

Castanea. Nov. 25, 1897. 

(c) Susan», b. June 14, 1842, at Otego, N. Y., d. Nov. 27, 

1897, at Otego, N. Y., m. James Terry in 1859, at 
Otego. They liad fourteen children, t^n of whom 
lived to maturity. 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 47 

(d) Lovica', b. Ju]y 2'S, 1252, at Otego, Otsego Co., N. Y., 

m W. A. Secor of Mt. Uptou, N. Y. They lived 
at Oteffo, N. Y., aud had three childi-en. 

(1) Anna Secor, b. Mav 11, 1S8I. 
(3) Chfirles Secor, b. Sept. 23. 18**5. 
(31 Alice L. Secor. b. June i7, 1898 

(e) Lodica*, b. July 23, 1852, at Otogo, X. Y"., m. David 

Orr, at Oneonia, Oct., 1872. They lived at Oiieonta 
aud have one child, John, b. 1878. 

ill. Samuel', b. Aug. 18, 1804. d. Feb. 9. 1885, lived at Saud 
Hill, Unadilla, N. Y., m. Phebe Cranston who died 
soon after their marriage, m. again Sej^t. 26 or Nov. 
16, 1837, to Eboda Potter, d. Feb. 25, 1848, buried in 
Wilber Burial Ground. They had tirree children : 

(a) Thomas^, b. Feb. 23, 1839, at Unadilla, lived at Sacrc- 

menio, Neb., m. March, 1868, to Emma Jane 
Jucket, b. Aug. 15, 1837. d. Jan. 23, 1890. No 
children, m. again Sept. 25, 1890, to Christena 
Lucas. 

(b) WUliam^ b. Mar. 15, 1840, d. Apr. 4, 1852. 

(c) Hiram S.^ b. Dec. 21, 1841, m. Han-iet Caroline Wait, 

Mar. 19, 1879, she died Jan. 10. 1892. No children. 
Sept. 26, 1848, Samuel Wait, married Amy Post of 
Sand Hill, a daughter of Elsie (1787) Wait Post and 
a fii'st cousin of her husband. They had owe son 
who died an infant, 
iv. Ahijah'', b. Jan. 17, 1812, at ITuadilla, X. Y., d. at Sand 
Hill, N. Y^., in 1881, he was a farmer, m. Jane 

Spencer, of Maryland, N. Y., at Maryland, N. Y^ 
They had eiyj/t children : 

(a) Philinda«, b. Dec. 29, 1839, in. Ini Truman of Butter- 

nuts, N. Y., Oct. 17, 1859. 

(b) Annie^, b. Sept. 5, 1841, d. Nov. 18, 1853. at Unadilla. 

(c) Armenia^, b. Dec. 1, 1842, m. Albert Young, of Una- 

dilla, Nov. 6, 1861. 

(d) Sarahs, b. July 22, 1844, m. William Hoyt, of Walton, 

Jan. 15, 1879. 

(e) Marie C.^ b. Jan. 7,'1846, m. John Gates, of Unadilla, 

Jan. 17, 1873. 

(f) John S.«, b. Mar. *1, 1850, d. Nov. 24, 1853. 

(g) Emma*, b. Julv 9, 1855, m. Orville Smith, of Fasten, 

Feb. 1, 1877. 
(h) Marrietta«, b. Aug. 30, 1847,'m. Charles H. Delevan, of 
Sidney, N. Y., Mar. 26, 1873. 

v. Annie\ b. Jan. 6, 1818, at Unadilla, d. Feb. 31, 1841, at 
Shakers, near Watervliet, N. Y". She m. Simeon 
Spencer, of Maryland, N. Y., later of Unadilla, N. Y., 
at Sand Hill, N. Y., Nov. 1, 1838. He was b. Dec. 
12, 1813, aud d. Aug. 2, 1879. They had one child 
Elijah who d. in infancy. 



48 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

3. Amy6, b. Dec. 31, 1780; lived at Cohoes, N. Y.; d. Oct. 
31, 1852, at Cohoes, N. Y. She married Samuel Wrightly 
and again ISToah Howard, Nov. 6, 1808. They had one son. 
N 4. Samuel^, b. Nov. 21, 1782 (Nov. 20, 1783), at Dart- 
/ mouth, Mass.; lived at Hector, Schuyler County, N. Y. He 
was a farmer; d. , 18 , at Hector, N. Y., and is 

buried at Reading, Lake Eoad Cemetery. He m. Miss 
Legett (Mrs. Reliance Calvert), mother of Mrs. Ahijah 
Wait (1791-2), of Reading, Steuben (now Schuyler) (^o., 
Mar. 7, 1814, and she is buried at Reading, Lake Road Cem- 
etery. Samuel^ Wait was in the War of 1812 on the Cana- 
dian Frontier and honorablv discharged. They had one 
child: 

i. Samuel Wrightly', 1). 1813, at'Hector or Kead- 

ing, N. Y. ; d. August. Ift94, at Watkins. He lived 
at Watkins, N. Y., and liad several cliildreT), one of 
whom in Ijewis Wait, Watkins, N. Y. 

5. James^, b. Jan. 6. 1784, at Dartmouth. Bristol Co., 
Mass.; d. Sept. 1, 1855, at Briar Creek. Otego. Otsego Co., 
N. Y.; m. Dec. 10, 1807, at Saratoga, N. Y.. to Elizabeth 
Thompson, of Stillwater, Saratoga Co., N. Y. She was b. 
Mar. 19, 1792; d. Jan. 11, 1857, at Otego, Otsego Co., N. Y. 
(Briar Creek). They had ten children: 

i. Jesse', h. Feb. 25,'180Srnot married, 'd. Sept. 21, 1828. 
ii. Hakman Van Veighton^ b. May 23, 1811, d. Oct. 26. 1876, 
lived at Port Crane, N. Y., m. Emily C. Edsall. She 
was b. Jan. 17, 1819, at Vernon, N. J. Her father 
was Seely Edsall, who was the son of Col. Edsall, an 
officer in the Revolutionary war. They had fovr 
children : 

(a) James EdsalP. b. Sapt. 17. 1837, m. Sei)t. 10, 1867, to 

Sarah Jane Brizzee. They had nr/Iit children, of 

whom only two lived to maturity : 

(1> Arthur James", b. Dec. !i. 1879. near Windsor, N. Y. 
(2) Helen Mar<;a^et^ b. Aug. 5, 1889, at Binghamton, N. Y.' 

(b) Mary Ellen^ b. Dec. 23. 1838, m. Ambrose L. Davis, 

'Feb. 9. 1870. A. L. Davis d. Aug. 5, 1899. They 
had (wo children : 

(1) Nellie Anna, b. Oct. 4. 1874. 

(2) Arabroi?e Edsall. b. Aus. 22, 187«. 

(c) George HenryS, b. June 28, 1818. m. Alice E. Hinklev, 

Sept. 20, 1871 Thev had »o children. 

(d) Florence Elizabeth^, b. Aug. 16, 1852, m. William J. 

Hnsrhson, Oct. 1, 1N72. W. J, Huffhson d. May 
19, 1882. Tliey had one child, who died young. 
She m. again Robert Bishoi), Feb. 28, 1895. ' They 
had no cliildren. 



WAIT FA:\IILY of RHODE ISLAND. 49 

iii. James, Jr.\ b. Nov. 17, 1813, at Otego, Otsego Co., N. Y., 
cl. Nov. 1, 1876, at Hollisterville, Pa., m. Jerusha 
Hollister, Sept. 20, 1838, in Salem. Wayne Co., Pa. 
She died Oct. 3, 1840, in Sterling, Wayne Co., Pa. 
They had one child : 

(a) Jerushas, b. Sept. 19. 1840, m. Sept. 16, 1874, to 

Florence B. Hamlin ; m again, Nov. 25, 1886, to 

S. F. Mitchell. 
James\ m. again Harriet Hollister, June 5, 1845. 
She d. Mar. 17, 1901, at Hollisterville, Pa. All buried 
in Hamilton Cemetery, Salem, Wayne Co., Pa. They 
had six children. 

(b) William HollistLi*. b. Apr. 2, 1846, at Hollisterville. 

Wayne Co.. Pa., m. Ada G. Pellett. Sept. 16, 1874. 
They had fuur children : 

(1) James Edmimd.b. Jiilv 7, 187(5, d. Mar.. 1877. 

(2) Susan F., b. Oct. 11, l*-79. 

(3) Joseph S., b. Feb. 22, 1881. 

(4) William Donald, b. Sept. 1!, 1882. 

^ (c) Franklin James^ b. Feb. 3 or 5, 1849 ; not married. 

(d) Mary Elizabeth^, b. S-pf. 1, 1850, d. Nov. 25, 1903; not 

maiTied. 

(e) Asa Wellington^ b. .Vug. 20, 1852 ; not married. 

(f) Lillian Celestial b. Oct 20, 1854 m. Samuel H. Han- 

kins, Sept. 29, 1875. They had Jive children : 

(1) Fred, b. Nov. 8, 1876, d. Aug. 20, 1877. 

(3) Nellie Harriet, b. July 16, 187S, d. Apr. 26, 1880, 
(.3) Walter II.. b. Jan. 28, 1882. 

(4) Eva Lillian, b. Oct. 3, 188!, d. Miir. 16. 1HH4. 

(5) Maud Winifred, b Apr. ,5, 1885. 

(g) Helen Harriet^, b. Sept. 20, 1858, m. John E. Elliott, 

Sept. 26, 1883. They had si.v children, three of 
whom lived : 

(1) Mildred J., b, June 28, 1H92. 

(2) E. Leonard, b. Oct. 1, 1894. 

(3) Helen Norvell, b. Apr. 23, 1897. 

iv. John', b. Jan. 25, 1816, d. Jan. 30, 1876, m. Durenna Cook 
of Morris, N. Y., May 15, 1844, at Butternuts, N. Y. 
She was b. June 17, 1819 (and was living Jan. 31, 
1903). They had two chUdren : 

(a) Cedelia N.8, b. Sept. 30, 1846, m. Alex. M. Thompson 

at Rosemount, Minn., Sept, 25, 1870. 

(b) Addie A,», b. Oct. 25, d. July 6, 1869. 

V. Reitben Perey', b. Aug. 17, 1818, d. Apr. 14, 1890, m. 

Adeline Pherdum, Feb. 8, 1854, at Delhi, N. Y. 

She was b. at Andes, Delaware, May 19, 1829. They 

lived at Norwich, N. Y. Had one child: 

(a) Edward R., b. Sept. 12, 1857; d. Aug. 17, 1886; m. 

Jennie Bostwick at South Hadley Falls, Mass., 

Jan. 9, 1884. They had no children. 

vi. Mary Eliza^ b. Sept. 6, 1821, at Otego,, N. Y., m. Feb. 3, 
1858, at Norwich, N. Y., to Rufus Collins. He was 
b. May 30, 1816, and d. Oct. 2, 1885, at Sand Hill, 
N. Y. Thev had tioo children : 



50 WAIT FAMILY OF IIHODE ISLAND. 

(a) Laura Elizabeth Collins\ b. Dec. 10, 1858; m. Nov. 19, 

1890, at Norwich, N. Y., to Geor»o Ilohiies, He 
d. Mar.16, 1899, at Sand Hi)!, N. Y. They had 
one child : Clara Jessie, b. Sept. 27, 1893. 

(b) James Jerub Collin.s\ b. July 7, 1865 ; m Clara Wendell. 

of Sidney, N. Y., Sept. 20, 1886. They had no 
children. 

vii. Ebebezeb F.\ h. Nov. 3, 1824, d. Nov. 4, 1897, lived at 
Otego (Briar Creek), Otsego Co., N. Y., m. Elizabeth 
Ann Wood, of Butternuts, N. Y., Sept. 11, 184:(i. 
They had four children : 

(a) Laselle Benjamins, b. Jan. 23, 1849. at Otego. X. Y. ; 

in. Ettie Hopkins at Otego, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1872. 
They had oue child : Mary, b. Dec. 30, 1875. 

(b) George Madison*, b. Feb. 22, 1851 ; ni. Eugenia Sieb- 

bins at Butternuts. N.Y., Oct., 1874. They had 
o,u' child : Ralph, b. Aug. 12, 1876. 

(c) Jame.s Albert^ b. Mar. 4, 1857, at Otego, N. Y. ; m. 

Lucie Baker at Lawrence, N. Y., May 30, 1883. 
They had one chihi : Lena, b. June 28, 1884. 

(d) Flora Elizabeth^ b. Oct. 12, 1«60 : d. Aug. 1, 1868. 

viii. Andrew Marcellus', b. Feb. 5, 1828, at Otego. N. Y'. 
(Briar Creek), d. Oct. 81, 1900 ; ni. Sept. 15, 1850, in 
Town of Butternuts, Opp. South New Berlin, N. Y., 
to Ambrosia Jane Sargent, dau. of John and Isabelle 
(Jacox) Sergeant, b. Jan. 30, 1827 ; lived at Norwich, 
Chenango Co., N. Y. They had tiro children. 

(a) Ambrose Marcellus«, b. Miiy 28, 1851. at Mt. Upton, 

N. Y. ; m. Carrie A. McNitt of Norwich. N. Y., 
1873. She d. May 11, 1875. Ay> children. He 
m. again Julia A. llinman, dau. of Munson and 
Augusta(Barker) Hinraan, of Hallock. Peoria Co., 
111., Jan. 1. 1877. She was b. Apr. 18, 1854. They 
had fen children : 

(1) Alice', b. Oct. 28, 1877, in. Harry Leadi, Apr. 11, 1908. 

(2) Bertrand^, b. Jan. 18, 1«80. 
(3> Mvras, b. Nov. 6. ISSl. 

(4) Julia Eva^, b. Auj;. S3, 1884. 

(5) Allen Mariou». b. June 'j. 188U, d. Dec. 18, 1897. 

(6) Grace AuguBta^, b. Feb. (>, 1888. 

(7) Eobert Sergeiit', b. Apr. 26, 1890. 

(8) Gertrude', la. Mav 8, 18!t4. 

(9) Ruth», b. Juue 15, 1896. 
(10) Dorothy», b. Feb. d, 1899. 

Ambrose Marcellus was for several years a 
druggist and school teacher at Norwich, N. Y. ; 
from 1879-1893 a farmer at Hallock, 111., and from 
1896 to date an inspector and surveyor in tiie Pub- 
lic Works Department, State of New York. 

(b) John Cassans, b. June 4, 1860, at Norwich, N. Y.. in. 

Ginevi-a Caroline Westlake, June 29, 1886, at Iron- 
ton, Lawrence Co., Ohio. She was b. Dec. 25, 
1866, at Gallipolis, Ohio, and was the dau. of 
Thomas K. and Annar Eliza (Bird). Westlake. 
They had four children : 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAISTD. 51 

<1) Lnella Ambrosias, h. Sept. 17, iSm. 

(2) Anuar Marie", b. Sept 9, 1S90 

(3) Justin Federal", b. Sept. 20. 1893. 

(4) Constance Elaine", b. Jan. 9, 1895. 

John Cassan was a mechanic and civil engineer, 
which latter vocation he followed from 1880-1897. 
when he began the practice of law in the City of 
New York, where he occupied the po.sition of 
Assistant Corporation Counsel of the Citv from 
1900-1904. In 1883 he graduated from "Cornell 
University; in 1887, from Norwich Univeisity, 
Vt. ; and in 1891, from the Harvard Law School. 
In 1886-1887 he was Captain of Artillery. Vermont 
National Guard ; 1896-1897. engineer, Erie Caual 
Improvement ; 1887-1894, instructor and assistant 
professor of engineering, Harvard University ; 
1894-1890, associate editor, "Railroad Gazette." 
He is also the author of several books on engineer- 
ing, law and the useful arts, including a dictionary 
of railroad terms. 

iv. Hakriet CAKOiiiNE', 1). Julv 4, 1830 ; d. Jan. 10, 1892 ; m. 
Hiram S. Wait, Mar. 19, 1877, lie was born Dec. 21, 
1841. They lived at Sand Hill, N. Y. They had no 
children. 

X. Ezra J.', b. Aug. 11, 1833 : m. Mauetta E. Flagg, at Nor- 
wich, N. Y., he d. Nov. 20, 1861. They had two 
children : 

(a) William Ezra*, b. Dec. 24, 1857, m. Lydia A. Prentiss, 

Nov. 30, 1881, at Hallock, Peoria Co., 111. They 
had nine children : 

(1) Vira P.», b. Feb. 1, 1883, at Forrest, III.; d. Feb. 13, 1891. 

(2) Kexford Ezra", h. Apr. 38. 1885. 

(3) Harriet Catberine", b. Julv 4, 1887. 

(4) Orra A.«, b. Feb. l.->, 1889.' 

(5) Wilberta Eetell-', b. Jan. 19, 1891. 

(6) Bertha Gertrude", b. Apr 9, 1894. 

(7) Guy William", b. Dec. 9, 189.5. 

(8) Ilion Bernita", b. Apr. 8, 1898. 

(9; William E.», b. Dec. 20, 1901. d. Aug. 30, 1903. 

(b) Orra Hughson*, b. Oct. 9, 1859, m. Libbie Ross a* 

South Plymouth, Chenango Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 
1880. She was b. at Plymouth, Mar. 16, 1858. 
They had two children : 

(1) William A., b. Mar. 25, 1883. 

;2) Edward R., b. Oct. 12, 1887. They lived at Norwich, N. Y. 

6. Elsie6 (or Alice6), b. Mar. 13, 1787 (Mar. 18, 1788), 
at Dartmouth, Mass.; d. Dec. 9, 1856, at Sand Hill, N. Y.; 
m. June 26, 1808, at Saratoga, IST. Y., to Abraham Post; b. 
Oct. 5, 1781; d. Dee. 26, 1856, at Sand Hill, N. Y. They 
had eleven children: Willis, b. Mar. 14, 1809; d. Mar. 13, 
1874; Moses, S., b. Aug. 21, 1810; d. Mar. 10, 1860; Allen, 
b. June 2, 1812; d. infant; Phebe, b. May 4, 1813; d. Jan. 
28, 1889; Louisa, b. June 24, 1815; d. Jan. 5, 1878; Amy, 



52 WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

}). June 26, 1817; d. Sept. 29, 1897; Stephen, b. Sept. 4, 
1819; d. Jan. 23, 1901; Martha, b. Oct. 21, 1821; d. Apr. 21, 
1895; Lemuel, b. Jan. 25, 1823; d. Apr. 18, 1895; Edna, 
]). Apr. 29, 1826; d. Nov. 28, 1895; Akins, b. Nov. 10, 1828; 
d. Feb. 20, 1899. 

7. Judith^, b. Dee. 17, 1788 (Dec. 15, 1789), at Dart- 
mouth, Mass.; d. 1872, at Ballston Spa., Saratoga Co., N. Y. 
She married Allen Smith; b. Mar. 18, 1781, and d. 1863, at 
Quaker Springs, N". Y. Thev had twelve children : Samuel 
W., b. July 25, 1808; Rebecca, b. 26, 1810; Henrv, 
b. Aug. 7, 1812; Allen, b. Dec. 20, 1813; William. 1). Apr. 11, 
1815; Sally, b. Mar. 20, 1818; Phebe, b. Mar. 26, 1819; 
Charles E., b. Mar. 29, 1821; Anthony, b. Sept. 26, 1823; 
Clark, b. Feb. 14, 1825; Daniel, b. Sept. 11, 1827; Margaret, 
b. Aug. 11, 1829. 

8. Phebe^, b. Mar. 9, 1790; lived at or near Lockport, IST. 
Y. ; m. Daniel Shaw. 

9. Ahijah^, b. Jan. 22 or 29, 1791-2, at Dartmouth. 
Mass.; d. Jan. 28, 1871, at Reading, Schuyler County, N. 
Y., where he is buried in Lake Road Cemetery; m. Hannah 
Calvert, Mar. 7, 1815, and she d. Feb. 29, "1888. They 
had Hve children. 

1. Phebe\ b. Jau. 4, 1816, d. Aug. 26, 1890 ; m. Jan. 4, 1838, 
at Watkins, N. Y. , to Aaron Parisb aud they lived at 
Watkins, N. Y. They had tico children : 

(a) Hannah Elizabeth, b. May 2. 1839, d. Mar. 21, 1901. 

(b) Aaron N., b. May 19. 1841, d. Jan. 4, 1885. 

ii. Nanoy', b. Sept. 22, 1818 ; d. Apr, 19, 1892 ; m. Feb. 27, 
1840, to Frederick Stamp, and they went to Paxton, 
m. Thev had tn-o children : 

(a) Charles.'b. Oct. 14, 1841, d. Sept. 10, 1899. 

(b) George W.. b. Dec. 8, 1868. 

iii. Henry', b. Oct. 19, 1820, at Reading, N. Y. ; lived at 

Reading, Schuyler Countv, N. Y. ; d. Nov. 13, 1894 ; 

he m. Hannah Marice Case, 1852, she d. Apr. 13, 

1885. They had one child : 

(a) De Ett, b. June 10, 1859, who lived at Reading. She 

m. John Abrams, Oct. 7, 1885 ; lived near Reading 

Center. N.Y\ 

iv. Ebenezee, b. Feb. 26, 1823, at Reading, N. Y. ; lived at 
Clarence, Ford Couutv, 111. ; he m. Louisa M. Stamp, 
at Newfield, N. Y. ; she d. Dec. 10, 1893, buried at 
Raukine, 111. They had two children : 

(a) Elbert A., b. May 13, 1850, has tioo children : 

(1) Mable A., b. May 8, 1883. 
(3) Ida L.,b. Sept. 13. 1886. 

(b) Adrian D., b. Mar. 10, 1858. 



WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 53 

V. Margaret, b. Dec. 6, 1830. unmarried, 
vi. Sarah, b. Oct. 20, 1833, nnmarrietl. 

10. Saeah (or Sally)6, b. Sept. 3, 1793; d. 18 : 
m. William Wilbur; he was b. June 30, 1789, at (Sand Hill) 
Fnadilla, N. Y. Thev had seirn children: Annie, b. 1815. 
d. 1900; Lemuel, b. "1818, d. 1892; William, b. 1823, d. 
1896; Betsv, b. 1824; Abigail, b. 1826, d. 1867; David, b. 
1829; Buel, b. 1831. 

11. LitcretiaS, b. Oct. 29, 1796. lived at Cohoes. K Y.: 
m. Jan. 22. 1815. She m. John Vincent, b. Aug. 26. 1783. 
They lived at Cohoes, "N". Y.. and they had ten children: 
Julia Ann. Cynthia. Jonathan, Edward H.. Judith, Lot H.. 
Amy H.. Norman D.. Herman E.. George H. and Mary E. 
(adopted). Cynthia Vincent, m. Ira Fisher Kilmer, of 
Washington Countv. 'N'ew York, and they had children: 
Juliet Kilmer, b. Sept. 22. 1847; John Henrv Kilmer, b. 
Jan. 22. 1849; Helen Maud Kilmer^, b. Aug. 4." 1860. John 
Henrv Kilmer, m. Pvrena Baldwin. Jan. 2, 1877. and thev 
had children: Otis Willis Kilmer, b. Feb. 2. 1S78; Heleu 
Maud Kilmer2. b. Aug. 2. 1882: Mae Baldwin Kilmer, b. 
Mar. 17, 1891. Helen Maud^. m. John "R. Stanton, of :N'ew 
York City. 

12. Lemttel«, b. Jan. 3. or 13, 1798, and lived at Dix. 
Schuyler Co., "N". Y.; d. Jan. 13, 1888. at Dix. and is buried 
at Eeadins". Lake Eoad Cemetery. He m. Prudence West- 
ern, who d. 1833. and is buried at Eeading. "NT. Y.. Lake 
"Road Cemetery. They had three children. 

i. Daniel. 
li.'jANE (or Jennie). 

iii. Orrila, to. Chas. Wilber, and lived at Moreland, Schuv- 
ler Co. , Dix Township, N. Y. 

Note. — For rPCor<l6 of the early de?cPTidaiits of 'Marshall Richard Wavte, of 
Boston, gee N. E. History a^t» Gen REf;ii«TER for Oct.. 1877 : The Waite 
Famit.y. of Rostov, "Mass.. hy Henry F. Waite. of West Newton. Mass.: Ten Gen- 
erations in New England, hy Henry E. Waite of West Newton, Mass. (Ifi84). 

Note.— For Records of the Maiden Family, see Waite Family of Malden, by 
Ueloraine P. Corey of Maiden, Mass. (187Si. 

Other sonrces of information and records of the Wait(e) family are the following : 

Austin's Rhode T.sland General Dictionary. 

navis" Land MarVs. Plymonth, Mass 

Judd's History. Hadley. Mass . p. .586-7. 

TV. — Savage's General Bictionarv. p- 382-.^. 

Temple's Ecc. History of Whntely, Mass., p. 278-7. 

Craft's History of Whntely, Mass. 

Barrv's History Framineham, Mass , n. 428. 

Benedict's History. Sntton, Mass., p 7.''6-7. 

Bond's History. Watertown, Mass., R17. 

Clevelard's History. Yates rounty, N. V., .i]8-9. 

Corey's Waite Gen"., 1878. 

Stone's History, Hubbardston, Mass., p. .363-5 



M WAIT FAMILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 

Wftehbuni'e History, Leicester, Mass., p. 410-1. 

II.— Wyman's, Charlestown, Mass.. 986-9. 

Norton's History Fitzwilliam, N. H., p. 7.'j4. 

Bass' History, Braintree. Vt., ]>. 194. 

American Ancestry, 2-142 ; 3-fiO ; 4-117 : 5-.51. 

Landmarks, Rensi^elear Co., p. (548. 

Publications New York Oeneological and Biographical Society, J oiiu L.Waite. 

III.— New London Historical Society, .54 : alt^o ,5-46 ; 6-61. 

XXIII.— New England Historical Society, p. 124. 

Old Families of Saulbury, Mass., 31-62 ; 33-155. 

Arnold's Vital Statistics of Ehodo Island. 

Rhode Island Colonial Records. 

Austin's Rhode Island Geneologies. 

Elisha C. Leonard's (Jen. Records, in Public Library, New Bedford, Mass. 

Dartmouth, Mass., Friends Records, 16')9-179?. 

Record and Pension Office, War Departuienl, Washington. 

Office Secretary of Commonwealth of Mass , Boston. 

Office State Record Commissioner, Providence, R. I. 

Town and County Clerk's Offices. Everywhere. 

Probate Court and Registry Offices, Everywhere. 



WAIT FAJSIILY OF RHODE ISLAND. 



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